FOREIGN BIZMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN AIE EXPO 2009

Banda Aceh, June 18 (ANTARA) - A number of foreign businessmen among others from Malaysia and Myanmar will participate in the Aceh International Expo (AIE) 2009 to be held here on August 2 to 11, 2009.

The expo would promote Aceh Province's main products and commodities, Dedi Afwan, AIE 2009 Marketing Executive, said here on Thursday.

"We are sure some more foreign businessmen will also take part in the exhibition of Aceh's main products," he said.

The exhibition is part of a series of activities of the 5th Aceh Cultural Week.

The organizing committee of the expo to be held at Lampieneung football stadium, has invited a number of businessmen from Aceh and other provinces in Indonesia as well.

The expo is aimed at boosting small, medium and large scale businesses, and encouraging the Indonesian people to love the national products.

Trade transactions are expected to occur in the exhibition which will comprise of 90 tents measuring 5x5 meters and 3x3 meters.

The exhibition will also promote the public service sector such as banking, property, and tourism services conducted by the government, NGOs as well as private businessmen.

Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra.

Aceh possesses one of Indonesia's largest reserves of oil and natural gas. Aceh's main sources of income are petroleum and natural gas, fertilizer, and agriculture.

Food crops include rice, corn, peanuts, peas, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, and fruits. Commercial crops include palm oil, rubber, coconut, coffee, and cacao. Aceh also produces nutmeg, sugar cane, patchouli oil, and areca nuts.

Tuna, skipjack, shark, bawal (stromateus), mackerel, and shrimp are all found in the deep sea and coastal waters. Forest products include logs, sawn-timber, processed woods, plywood, block-board and wood chips.