Expo deals reach $85m, exceeding target

Expo deals reach $85m, exceeding target

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several hours ahead of its closing on Sunday, the five-day
export expo Resource Indonesia 2003 (PPE) had recorded a total of
US$85.8 million-worth of export deals, surpassing its target of
US$80 million.

"At the close of the expo this evening, we are optimistic that
export deals will reach about US$90 million," chairwoman of the
National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) Diah Maulida said
on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier, BPEN had targeted a 10 percent increase on the $72.4
million recorded at the 2002 PPE.

Transactions were dominated by furniture exporters, who
grabbed a total of $26.8 million in export orders. They were
followed by exporters of wood products ($12.9 million),
agricultural products ($8.8 million), glassware and plastics
makers ($7.1 million) and handicraft makers ($6.5 million).

"Buyers with big-value orders came from the U.S., the UK,
United Arab Emirates, France and Saudi Arabia," said Diah.

However, many new buyers came from Indonesia's nontraditional
markets, such as Hungary, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa.

Diah expected orders from the nontraditional markets would
become more significant next year.

PPE is an annual expo held every October at the Jakarta
Fairground, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

"Buyers from China and African countries, as well as from
Eastern European countries, are very enthusiastic about
Indonesian products," she said.

By Sunday afternoon, buyers had totaled over 3,000, both as
individuals and groups, an increase of 20 percent on the 2,514 in
2002.

Diah said they were able to exceed the deal target thanks to
the assistance of trade and commerce attaches from Indonesian
embassies all over the world who came to the expo to provide one-
to-one consultation for prospective buyers at "business clinics."

Another factor was that the organizer provided more space for
participants so that they could display more commodities and
goods in comparison with last year.

Pulp and paper and automotive spare parts attracted many
buyers during the expo.

"Many buyers asked about the commodities," she said, adding
the situation was different to last year's expo, at which few
such questions were asked.

Several buyers asked about crude palm oil (CPO) and tea
products. However, no commodity producers participated in the
expo, Diah said.

Some buyers asked for a large volume of plastic bags, paper
and exercise books. However, expo participants were unable to
meet some of these demands due to limited production capacity.

"A Greek buyer was looking for souvenirs made from paper
products for the upcoming Olympic games, but none of the
exhibitors could meet his demand," said Diah.