Jakarta Fair canceled

Jakarta Fair canceled

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has decided to cancel
the 32nd annual Jakarta Fair, usually held in June, due to lack
of interest and the unpredictable sociopolitical situation, a
fair management executive said on Wednesday.

Gito Bantas, president of the Jakarta International Trade Fair
Corporation, said that no privately run company had registered
for the fair.

Moreover, only six provincial administrations from the
country's 27 provinces expressed readiness to participate in the
event, he said.

"The low number of participants is caused mainly by the impact
of the prolonged economic crisis and the unpredictable
sociopolitical condition ahead of and during the June 7 general
election."

Gito said the corporation had proposed combining the fair with
the planned Jakarta Expo '99 in August.

"We are waiting for approval from Governor Sutiyoso."

The Jakarta Fair has been an annual event, held to commemorate
the city's anniversary on June 22. In the past, a large number of
local and foreign products were exhibited and sold during the
fair, which also provided various kinds of entertainment.

Former fair participants included representatives from all 27
provinces and many local and foreign companies.

Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budihardjo Sukmadi,
said the fair had lost its appeal one year after the economic
crisis began hitting the country in June 1997.

Last year's fair, conducted in July because of the mid-May
riots, attracted only 200 participants, a sharp drop from the
previous year which involved 1,000. Transaction figures also
dropped to Rp 10.8 billion last year from Rp 125 billion in 1997.

Budihardjo said the cancellation did not mean a total lack of
celebrations for the 472th city anniversary.

"Such a celebration will go on," he said. (ind)