S. African mission visits RI

JAKARTA (JP): A South African trade mission comprising 10 businessmen visited the National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) last week to explore business opportunities with local firms.

BPEN chairman Gusmardi Bustami said on Monday that the visiting businessmen also met at least 50 local businessmen during their visit.

The South Africans are interested in textiles and its products, electronics, furniture, leather goods, wood products and chemicals, he said.

Exports and imports with South Africa increased to US$313.7 million in 1999 from $85.7 million in 1998, Gusmardi said, adding that between January and July this year trade totaled $171.3 million.

Indonesia exports woven cloths, vegetable oil, coffee, footwear, rubber, spices, glass and plastic products and furniture. It imports aluminum products, steel products, fertilizer, pulp and copper. (tnt)