I

ndonesia is slated to host the 13th World Export Development Forum (WEDF), a conference linking trade officials and business players in lesser-developed and developing countries from Oct. 15 to 17 in Jakarta.

The biannual forum, held by the International Trade Center (ITC), which is operated by the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, aims to generate output to boost global trade by identifying general trade barriers and improving competitiveness, Trade Ministry director general for national export development Gusmardi Bustami said on Thursday in Jakarta.

“As markets in South-South countries continue to expand, we need to find ways to increase trade between us. It is important to facilitate exports that can contribute to development of our countries,” he told The Jakarta Post in an interview.

Hundreds of participants from more than 50 countries, including from non-traditional Indonesian export destinations in Africa and South America, will take part in the forum titled “Linking Growth Markets, New Dynamic in Global Trade”, according to Gusmardi.

The forum will take place ahead of Indonesia’s biggest annual trade exhibition, Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), which will be held from Oct. 17 to 21.