Information prime need for businessmen: Try

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday opened a six-day export product exhibition, saying that information is a prime need for Indonesian businessmen to increase their exports.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition, called Resource Indonesia 1994, at the Jakarta Fair ground, Try noted that information is needed by businessmen who in particular deal with market demands, trends and the purchasing potential of the public.

"They all determine what kinds of products we should produce, how they should be packed and where they should be marketed. This can make us more creative and innovative in producing products which are really practical, attractive and salable," Try said.

He noted that businessmen therefore need to research the market so they can ensure their products will be well accepted by customers.

To promote local products abroad, Try suggested that every export-oriented company should put high priority on promotion as it is an expensive but integral part of export-business activities.

"Our products will not be known or salable abroad if we don't spread information overseas," Try said in the opening ceremony which was also attended by Minister of Trade Satrio Budiardjo Joedono.

Try noted that those who have small advertising budgets and can't afford overseas promotions could group together and hold joint promotions or exhibitions.

Participants

Chairman of the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) Rudy Lengkong said Resource Indonesia 1994, the ninth exhibition of its kind, gives special opportunity to small and medium enterprises to exhibit their products.

As many as 632 participants from 18 provinces in the country take part in the exhibition, which is to be visited by over 4,500 buyers from 86 countries, including Japan, Britain, Australia, Spain, South Africa, Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

"Buyers from South Africa and Kenya come here as to follow up our trade mission to the two countries last month," Lengkong noted, adding that the number of this year's visitors will be 15 percent higher than last year's.

The exhibition, which is open until October 30, is expected to facilitate transactions of up to US$160 million, five percent higher than last year.(rid)