Namibian president to visit RI

JAKARTA (JP): Namibia's President Sam Nujoma will arrive in Jakarta on Thursday for a five-day state visit to strengthen bilateral relations, State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday.

Namibia and Indonesia intend to strengthen economic and trade relations because they do not trade directly at present.

Nujoma's entourage includes his wife Theopoldine K. Nujoma and foreign minister Theo Ben Gurirab.

Indonesian commodities like textiles, sports shoes, rattan products and instant noodles reach Namibia through South Africa.

In April, foreign minister Ali Alatas and Gurirab signed an economic and technical agreement to boost bilateral trade.

"Although the volume and value of trade between the two countries is still small, this relationship is important to strengthen South-South cooperation," Moerdiono said.

President Soeharto and Nujoma will have talks Friday.

On Saturday, Nujoma will visit state-owned palm oil plantation PTP Nusantara IV in Pabatu, North Sumatra, and then spend a night in Lake Toba, Parapat, before leaving for Bali on Sunday.

Nujoma will return home Monday. (06)