Palembang, S Sumatra, (ANTARA News) - The South Sumatra provincial industry and trade affairs office expressed its wish to expand fashion products export to the Middle Eastern countries, an official has said.

Head of foreign trade division of the provincial industry and trade affairs office, Ahmad Mirza made the statement here on Sunday, adding that his office intended to diversify its commodities for the Middle East market.

According to him, several fashion makers have expressed their wish to support such fashion export measure, however their quantity is still small.

"If the fashion supply is not enough, the provincial industry and trade affairs office will only make use of trade exhibitions (to promote the fashion products). But South Sumatra`s administration is still optimistic to be able to penetrate the Middle Eastern market," he said.

The expansion of fashion products market is a measure to increase the South Sumatra`s export, which to date still depends on rubber and crude palm oil (CPO), Mirza noted.

Data released by the Central Statistics agency showed that until November 2012, the South Sumatra`s export value reached US$332.72 million.

Mirza said further that trade exhibition goers from the Middle East prefer the South Sumatra`s fashion products such as "Jumputan" and "Blongsong".

Editor: AA Ariwibowo
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