Indonesian Expo 2003: An expo worth visiting

Indonesian Expo 2003: An expo worth visiting

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Interested in Indonesian traditional batik, Bali paintings, wood
carvings, handicrafts, food? Or something more "Western" like
leather jackets and boots? Or something more "serious" like
furniture, leather chairs and lamps?

You can find all those items at the Indonesia Expo 2003 at
Hall A and B of the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Central
Jakarta, until this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. All made in
Indonesia.

This is the fourth time that PT Debindo Multi Adhiswati is
organizing Indonesia Expo. This year, there are a total of 817
booths joining the exhibition, in three different spaces.

You name it: salted eggs, vegetables, cassava chips, rice
crackers, beads, bags, shoes, sandals, clothing, ceramics,
carpets, lamps, knitted garments, leather wallets, furniture,
carvings, silver jewelry, handicrafts, there is something for
everyone. Prices are low and sometimes bargaining is even
possible.

What makes the exhibition very interesting is that some of the
exhibitors come from various parts of the country. One can place
orders at the expo, without even visiting the original locations.
Most of the participants are from Jakarta, but there are also
others from Bali, Lombok, North Maluku, Kalimantan, Java and many
other cities.

And if normally some of the manufacturers only produce in big
amounts and for export, during the expo retail purchases are
possible.

The expo is one of the drives of the National Agency for
Export Development (BPEN) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade
to encourage Indonesian exports.

Hundreds of people visited the expo on Friday, including
housewives, students, people looking for business opportunities,
buyers, exporters and even expatriates.

Jason Harijanto, 56, a wood furniture exporter from West
Jakarta, was there looking for new commodities for him to sell
abroad. He used to export furniture from Kudus to the U.S. and
Europe.

"Exporters have to be very creative in choosing the right
commodity to sell. Especially furniture. People might not want to
have items that are similar to what their neighbors have. So
anything new will be interesting. Such an expo sometimes gives me
inspiration," said Jason.

Some expatriates were also there looking for export
opportunities. A Canadian, who asked not to be named, said he was
there looking for Indonesian traditional items and sea shells for
export. He used to export bathroom appliances decorated with sea
shells.

Tri Isfarikha, from Regol Craft, a leather and roots
handicraft specialist located in Bekasi, told The Jakarta Post
that she used to export her products to Spain and the U.S. Her
company produces frames, address books, lamp shades, boxes,
chairs, garbage bins, all made from leather and goat's skin.

According to her, one foot of leather was worth between Rp
7,000 (US$0.78) and Rp 15,000. But after she transforms it into a
nice chair -- which she claimed needed only easy handiwork and no
rocket-science technology, except for the cutting -- she could
sell it for Rp 1.8 million. A chair uses about two feet of
leather.

"If Indonesians are willing to work harder and be more
creative, there are so many work opportunities out there. They
don't have to be beggars," said Tri.

Another interesting booth was occupied by Josephine Art and
Craft of West Jakarta. The booth offers mini-Japanese paper
puppets. Some were also made wearing Indonesian traditional
clothes. The puppets were made in detail and were put in wooden
frames. According to the booth keeper, the puppets were made by
Josephine Tjen herself, for she has no assistant at the moment.

Priced at about Rp 1 million per frame, Josephine usually
finishes a frame in three days. Most are exported to Malaysia and
Singapore.