The 27th Trade Expo Indonesia began at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran on Wednesday with local businesspeople expecting to attract a sizeable number of new overseas buyers amid the decline in the country’s exports.
Speaking during the opening of Indonesia’s biggest-ever trade expo, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono underlined the important role of exports as a key driver of the economy, saying that exports should be well-maintained despite contagion from the protracted global economic recovery.
In order to sustain export growth, local manufacturers needed to boost their competitive edges by promoting higher productivity and efficiency and adopting new innovative techniques, Yudhoyono said, adding that the government played a role in providing better infrastructure and logistics to support a more efficient supply chain.
The annual expo, which runs until Sunday, is poised to generate US$2 billion in transactions from goods purchases and services contracts, more than three times higher than last year.
Around 5,300 buyers from 100 countries are registered to attend the expo, which will also feature a trade investment forum, regional seminar and business matches.
At least 1,300 exhibitors are displaying a wide array of local best-quality products from small, medium and large enterprises, including automotive, electronics, food and beverage, footwear, furniture, jewelry, fashion, handicrafts and traditional home goods.
Buoyed by a higher-than-expected number of potential buyers visiting the expo, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan expressed optimism about reaching the transaction target.
“We identified this ambitious target based on enthusiasm from sellers and buyers. We anticipated 1,500 buyers but had 5,300 buyers register,” he said.
The significant amount of visitors to the expo was positive for the prospects of Indonesia’s exports in the coming months, Gita added. (Jakarta Post)
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