IBM Expo '96 opens

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie opened a computer exhibition yesterday, called IBM Expo '96, which will last until Saturday.

During the exhibition, with the theme of "Solutions to Free Trade Challenges," PT Usaha Sistim Informasi (USI) -- the sole agent of IBM products in Indonesia -- will feature various software and hardware products, including the multi-media personal computer Aptiva, which is the top-selling model here.

USI will also hold a series of seminars to discuss IBM products, which had a 60 percent market share in Indonesia last year.

About 10,000 executives are expected to visit the expo.

USI's president, Hari Sulistyono, told the press that during the first half of this year the retail business and banking/finance sectors are the largest buyers of his company's products.

"Sales to the sectors could account for about 35 percent of our total revenues," said Hari.

He said total sales of IBM products, which increased by 18 percent to US$125 million last year, are likely to grow by about 30 percent this year. (13)