TRADE FAIR IN NICOSIA

INDONESIAN BUSINESSMEN TAKE PART IN TRADE FAIR IN NICOSIA

London, June 6 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian embassy in Rome along with three Indonesian companies, namely Kharisma Harvest Indonesia (Khavindo) of Jakarta with handicraft articles, wooden statuettes, masks, Sanbreo Handicraft of Klaten, and Theo Classic of Bali, selling silver jewelry, took part inm the Cyprus International Fair (CIF) in Nicosia.

The fair was dedicated by Cypriot President Demetris Chritofias, in the presence of minister of cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and foreign diplomats, including the Indonesian Embassador to Italy and Malta, Cyprus, Susanto Sutoyo, First Secretary of the Indonesian Embassy in Rome in charge of Information and Socio-Cultural Affair Pramudya Sulaksono said on Friday.

The Cypriot President in its address said the CIF is aimed at promoting economic stability, market opportunities, and cooperation with the European Union and other countries, including those in Asia.

The 33rd CIF, also known as Cyprus Expo 2008, is only one of international exhibitions visited by about 300,000 guests, including local retail buyers and importers from Cyprus and the European Union.

Exhibits at the Cyprus Expo include household equipment, electronic products, building construction and agricultural equipment, automotive products, garments, leather products, jewelry, cosmetics, handicraft goods and furniture.

Pramudya Sulaksono said the participation of Indonesian businesspeople in the event was the second time, renting two 32 m2 pavilions.

Not only displaying the products of the three Indonesian companies the Indonesian embassy also distributed brochues, showed films on tourism objects and destinations in Indonesia, and held a promotion for Tradexpo to be held on Oktober 21-25, 2008.

The fair runs for 10 days, during which transactions took place between Indonesian businesses and buyers, and trade contacts were made with importers, he said.

Pramudya Sulaksono said the total retail sales of the three Indonesian companies reached 5,195 euro, with Kharisma Harvest Indonesia 2,400 euro, Sanbreo Handicraft 1,000 euro, and Theo Classic 1,795 euro.

In the event rattan and wooden furniture of Cirebon were promoted by Cypriot businessman Petos Philippides of Prunabon Enterprises Ltd.

Sanbreo Handicraft of Klaten offered cooperation in the sale of indoor furniture, which according to Prunabon, at reasonable but competitive prices.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Indonesia-Cyprus balance of trade in the 2003-2007 period is favorable to Indonesia, and in 2007 reached USD 12.2 million.

Exports had been growing by 3 percent from 10.6 million US dollars in 2003 to 12.5 million US dollars in 2007.

Besides Indonesia, the 300 participants in the the 33rd CIF also include those from the United States, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Egypts, Taiwan and Singapore. (U-ZG)(HNG/A/E002)

(T.SYS/A/H-NG/A/E002) 07-06-2008 00:48:03