Habibie opens Fair, summons visitors
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie officially opened on Sunday the 32nd Jakarta Fair at the Jakarta Fairground in Central Jakarta, emphasizing that the event was important in attracting support for the country's economic recovery.
Habibie said the annual business event was also important in promoting tourism, creating job opportunities and providing Jakartans with an attractive entertainment site.
"I call on people living in Jakarta and the surrounding areas to visit the fair. Let's love local products," he said before pressing a siren button marking the opening of the 17-day exhibition.
First Lady Hasri Ainun Habibie cut a garland of jasmine flowers at the entrance gate.
Foreign envoys and several high-ranking officials, including Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan, Minister of Communications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso attended the fair's opening ceremony.
The guests were entertained by the Light and Pop Orchestra band, which played several songs, including a Habibie favorite: Sepasang Mata Bola (A Pair of Eyes).
The reading of a poem titled Peace to My Country by junior high school student Wisnu surprised guests with its sharply satirical edge.
The poem described the bloody incidents in Aceh and Ambon as "television serials" and "soap operas".
The poem also referred to the increasing number of new "actors" in Jakarta, whose performances were almost equal to those of Broadway performers.
Hot satire was not an entertainment form at events presided over by former president Soeharto during his 32-year tenure.
In his speech, Habibie said an economic recovery in the country could not be achieved by the government alone, but required the help of the public with the support of a favorable external situation.
"It's not correct that the economy can recover just because of certain people or groups," he said.
The President emphasized the importance of a sense of security among the public to support the economic recovery, especially to revitalize Jakarta's business community.
The annual fair, which will close on Aug. 22, also commemorates the city's 472nd anniversary and the 54th anniversary of the country's Independence Day.
The president of the Jakarta International Trade Fair Corporation, Gito Bantas, said 454 local companies and 400 informal traders had joined the fair, almost twice the number of last year's participants.
However, like last year, no foreign firms are participating in the event.
This year's fair, organized at a cost of Rp 2.3 billion, is expecting one million visitors with projected transactions of Rp 30 billion.
More than Rp 10 billion was generated in transactions at last year's fair. (jun)