Megawati inaugurates merrier Jakarta Fair<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\ninaugurated the annual Jakarta Fair on Friday amid growing
\noptimism that the economy will improve and encouraging signs of
\nsociety's increasing political tolerance toward the Chinese
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
Some 1,507 local and foreign companies and agencies are taking
\npart in the month-long event that includes not only trade
\nexhibitions but also cultural exhibitions and performances.<\/p>\n
The number of participants is more than five times the 270
\nwhich took part in last year's fair, but it is still lower than
\nthe 2,500 exhibitors in 1996, the year before the economic crisis
\nhit.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the fair, which is part of the
\ncelebrations to mark the city's anniversary which falls on June
\n22, has opened a special section on Pecinan Tempo Doeloe (Old
\nChinatown) that displays various Chinese artifacts.<\/p>\n
Paulus Japutra, who has set up his Chin art gallery in the
\nsection, said the Chinese minority welcomed the idea as it would
\ncommunicate an openness.<\/p>\n
Many ethnic Chinese regard themselves as Indonesians, but they
\nmiss their root culture. Now, they can celebrate the city's
\nanniversary in the Chinese tradition, he said.<\/p>\n
At Rona studio, visitors can have their pictures taken wearing
\nChinese costumes and makeup, using a Chinese panorama as the
\nbackground.<\/p>\n
This special section will be a good opportunity to introduce
\nChinese culture to Indonesians through artwork, Hendra Kusuma,
\nthe studio's photographer, said.<\/p>\n
\"Many native Indonesians from different religions and ethnic
\ngroups want to have their pictures taken wearing Chinese
\noutfits,\" Hendra said.<\/p>\n
The event's organizers have also accommodated 400 small-scale
\nvendors who have opened stalls in the huge Jakarta International
\nTrade Fair complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In her opening speech, Megawati told fair participants to use
\nthe event to maximize their business opportunities.<\/p>\n
She urged local participants and the government to improve
\ntheir information system so that they could link their businesses
\nwith investors and other players in the sector.<\/p>\n
\"They could provide investors with actual and accurate
\ninformation about themselves and their products,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Traditional Betawi dances, Jigrik Endat and Cokek, were
\nperformed and an orchestra comprising members of the Guruh
\nSoekarnoputra Production company played at the opening ceremony.
\nGuruh, a noted choreographer, is Megawati's younger brother.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso in his speech said the strong
\nparticipation in this year's Jakarta Fair could be an indication
\nthat the Indonesian economy was starting to recover.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta International Trade Fair's corporate
\ncommunications officer Nugroho Aditomo said the organizer
\nexpected a total of two million visitors, compared to 700,000 in
\n1999 and 2.5 million in 1997.<\/p>\n
Nugroho called the event a \"Party for Jakartans\".<\/p>\n
\"No other event can draw as many people in the greater Jakarta
\narea,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The organizers have coordinated with the Jakarta Land
\nTransportation Agency and bus operators to make the Kemayoran
\narea more easily accessible to people from various destinations.<\/p>\n
\"Some public transportation operators who serve routes near
\nthe fairground have been asked to extend their route to pass
\nthrough the area,\" Nugroho said.<\/p>\n
On security arrangements, Nugroho said the local police
\nstation and the military district had deployed their personnel.<\/p>\n
\"We just want to make sure that security in the fairground and
\nin the surrounding area are well taken care of,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The complex stands on a 44-hectare plot, 20 hectares of which
\nhouse exhibition sites while the remaining is used as a parking
\nlot which can accommodate up to 6,500 vehicles.<\/p>\n
Most participants have expressed hope that this year's fair
\nwill bring in more profit, although some were concerned about
\nsecurity in the area.<\/p>\n
Kismanto, a staffer at a stall selling ground coffee, said
\nsecurity was important because of the large number of people
\nexpected to visit the fair.<\/p>\n
Sri, who usually sells snacks in Ancol Dreamland, said she had
\nbeen eagerly waiting for the event, hoping to earn four to five
\ntimes more than normal.<\/p>\n
Sri said she had had kiosks at other trade events held at the
\nfairground but the Jakarta Fair was the time she enjoyed most
\nbecause of the atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\"It really reminds me of the old times,\" she said, adding that
\nthis is the 15th time she had exhibited at the fair. (06)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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