Yemeni state visit

JAKARTA (JP): Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is scheduled to arrive here Thursday for a four-day state visit.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said the main purpose of the visit was to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

"The two leaders are also scheduled to discuss the current monetary and financial crisis in Southeast Asian on Friday," Moerdiono said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his Yemeni counterpart will sign two agreements on trade and investment protection Friday.

"They will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a joint commission on economy, science, technical and trade cooperation," Moerdiono remarked.

Trade between the two countries is still low. Indonesian exports to Yemen totaled US$22.43 million in 1996, while imports only reached $18.81 million.

On Saturday, Saleh and his entourage are scheduled to visit state-owned ship builder PT PAL in Surabaya, East Java, before flying to Bali for a one night break. (prb)