Councilor criticizes fair organizers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor yesterday blasted organizers of
\nthe Jakarta Fair exhibition (PRJ) for neglecting the interest of
\nsmall businesses and street vendors in this year's annual event.<\/p>\n
\"The PRJ had its origins at Pasar Gambir (Central Jakarta) as
\nan exhibition of small businesses beginning early in the
\ncentury,\" said councilor Mahmud S. Chaniago here yesterday.<\/p>\n
He criticized PT Jakarta International Trade Fair Corporation
\n(JITC) as organizers of the PRJ for ignoring the role of small
\nbusinesses, which clearly deviated from the original purpose of
\nthe Fair.<\/p>\n
The annual PRJ exhibition in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, was
\nopened by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja on June 18 and will run
\nthrough July 16.<\/p>\n
Mahmud also deplored JITC's ousting of all street vendors from
\nthe fair, pointing to the fact that there is not a single place
\non the grounds dedicated to them.<\/p>\n
As a result, the street vendors have to play \"hide and seek\"
\nwith the security guards in order to sell their wares, he said as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Mahmud acknowledged the profit-making motive has to be
\nconsidered, but he urged that the social function of the PRJ
\nshould also be maintained.<\/p>\n
In reply, JITC president Soekardjo Hardjosoewirjo denied that
\nsmall businesses were neglected, saying that the councilor's
\nreaction was based on a difference of perception of the
\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
\"If they mean street vendors when they say small business,
\nthen it's true PRJ didn't provide a particular location for them
\nbecause of the limited space at the fair ground,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He further revealed that street vendors were not given a
\nspecial location because of fears that their activities would
\ndisturb the enjoyment of the visitors.<\/p>\n
Soekardjo added that a number of street vendors were visible
\nat the fair grounds, most notably the traditional kerak telor
\negg-pancake sellers who are being levied Rp 75,000 per month.<\/p>\n
He illustrated the existence of small businesses by pointing
\nto the numerous food, beverage, arts, crafts and clothing stands
\nat the PRJ.<\/p>\n
As of yesterday, sales in food and beverages reached over Rp
\n144 million (US$66,759), arts and crafts Rp 24 million ($11,127),
\nshoes and handbags Rp 214 million ($99,212) while garment sales
\nwere Rp 129 million ($59,805). (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councilor-criticizes-fair-organizers-1447893297",
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