Susilo to open RI handicraft exhibit in Tokyo visit<\/p>\n
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is to open a handicraft
\nexhibition in Tokyo during his scheduled visit to Japan next
\nweek, to promote Indonesian culture and hopefully boost trade,
\ntourism and investment between the two nations.<\/p>\n
The Indonesia Handicraft Gallery 2005 will feature 40
\nIndonesian handicraft producers in a 500 square meter area at the
\nHarajuku Quest Hall in Tokyo from June 3 to June 5.<\/p>\n
The event is organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce
\nand Industry (Kadin) and Indonesian Embassy in Japan, and is
\nsupported by the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Culture and
\nTourism, national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, JETRO and the
\nJakarta Japan Club.<\/p>\n
Kadin vice chairman for industry, technology and marine
\nresources Rachmat Gobel said that the event was aimed at
\nintroducing Indonesia as a country rich in natural and human
\nresources as well as culture.<\/p>\n
\"History shows that culture is an important factor in trade
\nand diplomacy,\" Rachmat told a press conference on Monday.<\/p>\n
Themed: A Journey through Cultural Traditions, Arts and
\nCrafts, the event is expected to entice the Japanese to visit
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Susilo will visit Japan for the first time as president from
\nMay 31 to June 2, where he is scheduled to meet Japan's Prime
\nMinister Junichiro Koizumi and Emperor Akihito. Susilo will meet
\nU.S. President George W. Bush in Washington, in an earlier visit
\non May 25 and May 26.<\/p>\n
Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu said that the event was
\ngeared to reviving tourism to the precrisis level. Before the
\n1997 crisis, up to 700,000 Japanese tourists visited Indonesia
\nannually, compared to last year's figure of 400,000.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, the event can promote and improve Indonesia's
\nimage as a country rich in culture and with a high tolerance
\ntoward other cultures. Such an image is needed to lure
\ninvestment,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, she said, the government aimed to double the level
\nof investment in five years. In the investment sector, the total
\namount of Japan's direct investment from 1967 to 2004 was US$283
\nbillion, topping Indonesia's list of foreign direct investment at
\n14.6 percent.<\/p>\n
There are 1,000 Japanese companies in Indonesia, employing
\nmore than 200,000 people.<\/p>\n
The exhibition will showcase Indonesian handicrafts as well as
\ntraditional herbal drinks, or jamu, and beauty treatments.<\/p>",
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