First Lady opens bazaars

JAKARTA (JP): First Lady Tien Soeharto officially opened yesterday two-day bazaars, held simultaneously throughout Indonesia's provinces, mayoralties, regencies and districts, as part of festivities commemorating Indonesia's golden anniversary.

The opening ceremony of the bazaars, locally called Pasar Rakyat (folk bazaars), was held in the parking lot of the state- owned Sarinah department store on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

"These nation-wide bazaars, held for the 195 million people of Indonesia, is supposed to promote the businesses of cooperatives and small enterprises," said the First Lady.

At the Jakarta bazaar, organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, members of various business associations, including the Indonesian Cooperatives Council, the Indonesian Retailers Association, the Association of Indonesian Retailers and Store Managers and the Association of Indonesian Distributors and Suppliers, are taking part, featuring their products at 50 stands.

They are offering high-quality food stuffs, beverages, vegetables, garments and household appliances at low prices, with discounts of up to 50 percent.

The Sarinah department store itself, which is also commemorating its own 33rd anniversary, is offering discounts of up to 50 percent and door prizes consisting of Toyota motor vehicles and electronic goods until Sept. 30.

In the country's other provinces, the two-day bazaars, opened by the wives of governors on behalf of Mrs. Tien, are organized by the local chapters of the chamber.

Antara reported that bazaars in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, in Denpasar, Bali, and Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, attracted thousands of visitors yesterday. (kod)