Islamic chambers to meet

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the sixth Islamic Trade Fair, the 14th general assembly, the 28th Executive Committee, and private sector meetings of the Islamic Chambers in October next year, an executive said yesterday.

The executive chairman of the Middle East Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muchrim Hakim, said President Soeharto will open the meeting.

"The Islamic Chamber chose Indonesia as the host of its meeting next year because of the country's achievements in building trade relations with Middle East countries," he said.

He said Indonesia will exhibit a wide variety of products such as wood, footwear, food, beverages, electronics and textiles at the fair.

Indonesia's total exports to Middle East countries reached US$1.5 billion last year and its imports from that region totaled US$1.2 billion. (04)