Jakarta Great Sale kicks off

JAKARTA: To mark Jakarta's official 478th anniversary, the Jakarta Great Sale 2005, formerly known as the Jakarta Discount Extravaganza, is set to kick off on Saturday.

The event, jointly organized by the Jakarta Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Jakarta Tourism Agency, will see malls and shopping centers offer discounts of as much as 75 percent.

Secretary to the organizing committee, Purwati Sidharta, said that the event was designed to promote the capital as a shopping destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso will officially open the event, which will last until July 18, at the Mangga Dua Square Plaza.

Besides Mangga Dua Plaza, big discounts will also be on offer at 32 shopping malls, 33 hotels, 14 boutiques, 112 department stores, three entertainment parks and 98 restaurants across the city. --JP