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.