Craftsmen to join U.S. fair

JAKARTA (JP): About 50 small-scale handicraft producers are scheduled to leave for San Francisco today to take part in an international gift fair starting on Saturday and running until Aug. 10.

The participants, coming from the various provinces, will display assorted hand-made items including wood, ceramics, rattan, pottery, textiles and garments in an attempt to penetrate overseas markets.

Movie-starlet turned businesswoman Gladys Suwandhi, who organized Indonesia's participation in the fair, told the press last week that the fair is expected to draw at least 2,500 exhibitors and 32,000 potential buyers from various countries, including the United States, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Canada, Germany and Britain. (raw)