RI to join Portuguese expo

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will participate for the first time in the annual International Trade Fair to be held from 30 June to July 8 in Lisbon, Portugal, an official said on Thursday.

Gusmardi Bustami, the head of the National Agency for Export Development said here on Thursday that Indonesian companies would display non-oil gas commodities during the nine-day FIA Lisboa trade fair.

Nine Indonesian companies will participate in the fair, which will involve some 644 companies from all over the world. They include, among others, Shasis Gallery, PT Tidor, PT Intronas Kencana with the agency as the organizer," Gusmardi said.

Gusmardi said Indonesian non-oil exports to Portugal increased significantly by 28 percent to US$50 million (around Rp 560 billion) last year from $39 million the previous year, following the resumption of diplomatic ties in 1999.

Indonesia exports footwear, textiles, yarn, wood products, leather and coal while it imports medical implements and industrial machines from Portugal. (03)