RI in U.S. housewares show

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will participate in the International Housewares Shows, the biggest of its kind in the world, in Chicago from Jan. 16 to Jan. 19.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago was quoted by Antara as saying on Monday that 17 Indonesian companies would take part in the annual event that dates back to 1897.

Indonesian houseware manufacturers first participated in 1997, the consulate general said.

The show will feature products ranging from furniture, carpets, household appliances and fitness equipment, with 1,900 companies expected to register.

The number of participating foreign companies will be 470, or 30 percent of the total participants this year, compared to 63 or 9 percent in 1993.

Transaction value reached US$63 billion in 1999, a 16 percent increase from in 1998.

This year's show is expected to attract some 61,000 buyers, including 16,000 foreign buyers from 104 countries.

Past Indonesian contingents sold products to Canada and countries in South America, Europe and Africa.

Eight of the 17 Indonesian companies will occupy the Indonesian pavilion with the others, including PT Kedaung Indah Grup (KIG), PT Maspion and PT Sango Keramik Indonesia, operating from stands.(03)