Higher sales expected from expo

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) expects its upcoming Export Product Exhibition to generate higher transaction values.

"I expect an increase of at least 10 percent in sales to about US$80 million, from $72.4 million last year," BPEN head Diah Maulida told reporters on Friday.

The 18th Export Product Exhibition will be held from Oct. 15 to Oct. 19 at the Jakarta Fairground.

Diah was optimistic that despite the Aug. 5 Marriott Hotel bombing the expo would be successful in attracting both exporters and buyers.

She said that last year's expo was also a success although it was held shortly after the Bali bombing attacks.

BPEN expects 3,000 buyers from 100 countries will pack the 35,800 square meter expo compound at Jakarta Fairground, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. Buyers have agreed to be present from countries including Britain, Japan, South Korea, Jamaica, Suriname, Chile, Sri Lanka, Jordan and Namibia.

So far, from 1,250 exhibition booths available, 1,092 booths have been filled by Indonesian companies.

They will display goods for export such as toys, textiles and garments, furniture, handicrafts, footwear and leather products, glassware, plastic products, processed food and beverages, agriculture produce, automotive parts, medicine, cosmetics and metal products.

BPEN is still making available the remaining booths to exporters, particularly those producing outside furniture and handicrafts.