Jakarta Fair to be held in August

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has decided to end the tradition of staging the annual one-month Jakarta Fair to coincide with the capital's anniversary on June 22 and will instead hold the event in August, according to the fair's organizer.

The president of the Jakarta International Trade Fair Corporation, Gito Bantas, said on Wednesday that the event would be held in conjunction with Jakarta Expo '99 at the Jakarta Fair Ground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, from Aug. 6 to Aug. 22.

He said that Governor Sutiyoso had approved the decision to combine the two exhibitions.

"Combining the two fairs is expected to benefit the city's economy," Gito told a media conference at the City Hall.

The announcement reversed an earlier decision to cancel the Jakarta Fair due to the volatile political situation in the country.

Gito said this year's event would be held at a cost of Rp 2.3 billion.

He said that around 500 companies were expected to use the fair to display their products and services.

"So far, 270 firms have confirmed they intend to participate, including 10 companies from China," he said. (ind)