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)