Jakarta Great Sale 2001 targets Rp 3 trillion

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the City Administration are targeting one million domestic and foreign tourists, who will spend at least Rp 3 trillion (US$272.7 million), during this year's Jakarta Great Sale from June 14 to July 14, despite fears of rampant security disturbances across greater Jakarta.

"If every one of the 1 million tourists targeted to visit Jakarta during the one-month discount party spends Rp 3 million, Rp 3 trillion could be collected during the event," Satrianto of Panoramic Convex, the event organizer, boasted.

He told The Jakarta Post that the money collected through the great sale, which will offer between 20 percent and 70 percent discounts, is expected to revitalize the capital's economy.

While many express their concern over security, Satrianto remains optimistic that the Jakarta Great Sale will be as successful as the one held annually in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The event, which costs approximately Rp 3 billion to prepare, would be financed by Jakarta industrial associations affiliated with Kadin, he said.

It will be held for the sixth time and will celebrate Jakarta's 474th anniversary.

The discounts will apply to a wide range of products at shopping centers, markets, supermarkets, department stores, hotels and restaurants.

"Beside helping consumers obtain goods at low prices, the Jakarta Great Sale is aimed at placing Jakarta as a tourism shopping destination," said Inbound Travel Operator Club (ITOC) chairman Arievaldy Kumarga, who presented program packages at Hotel Santika.

He said that during the one month event all recreational venues will participate in providing price cuts, but he did not elaborate on the expected size of discounts.

The percentage of discounts offered by producers and retailers will depend on product availability, he said.

He said the event also offered a good opportunity for low and middle class businessmen to participate, by promoting their product quality and encouraging domestic tourists to appreciate local products.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Kadin chairman Pungky Bambang Purwadi said that the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) had promised to ask city land transportation operators, especially taxis, to take part in the event.

"Following a talk last week, Organda expressed its support for the great sale event and agreed to request city land transportation operators to offer discounts during the month," he said.

Among the associations affiliated with Kadin that join the event are the Indonesian Retail Association (Aprindo), the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) and City Owned Market Operators (PD Pasar Jaya). (01)