Environment expo opens in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): An international exhibition on the environment was opened yesterday at the Jakarta Convention Center by State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja.

Featuring 124 local and foreign participants, Environment Expo '97 will end June 8.

Latest technology and the provinces' environmental achievements are on show.

Dubbed "an environmental campaign," the exhibition is one of the government's programs to celebrate today's World Environment Day.

Surna T. Djajadiningrat of the organizing committee said the expo aimed to inform the public about the efforts of the government, industries and other groups to improve the environment.

Santo Widjaya, director of PT Antheus which is co-organizing the expo, said participants included government offices, state companies, private companies, non-governmental organizations, foreign companies and three United Nations organizations.

The expo will feature a seminar, titled Business and Environment Tendency in the Future, on June 6 and two other seminars by NGOs on June 6 and June 7.

President Soeharto will present awards to people today for their outstanding contributions to conservation and environmental development. (aan)