Jakarta Fair a hit with foreigners

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Fair organizer explained that the event had succeeded in attracting foreign businesspeople, especially from China, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

"The high number of visitors, mostly potential buyers, has prompted many foreign businesspeople to come to the Jakarta Fair," project director Ralph Scheunemann was quoted as saying by Antara on Saturday.

Iranian businessman Badavi, who sells crystal products and carpet at his Iran Art Friends stall at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, acknowledged that this year was his first time in the event, which will last until July 17.

"I hope Jakartans will know more about Iranian products," he said.

The event is being held to commemorate Jakarta's 478th anniversary on June 22.

Scheunemann said that as of Saturday, 41,828 people had visited the fair.

"I saw dozens of foreign tourists come to visit ... It's a good sign in making the Jakarta Fair a tourism object." -- JP