Soeharto opens handicraft expo
Soeharto opens handicraft expo
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on small businesses
and home industries yesterday to improve the quality of their
products to take advantage of the fast growing tourist industry.
"The demand for handicrafts is now increasing in line with the
growth of tourism. But at the same time, we have to compete with
other countries which offer similar products," Soeharto said when
inaugurating the Seventh Indonesian Handicraft Exhibition here
yesterday.
Soeharto suggested a more extensive partnership program
between small businesses and home industries on the one side and
large-scale businesses on the other.
He said this kind of partnership would help promote the
products of small businesses and transfer technology in efforts
to improve production efficiency and to modernize product
designs.
"Moreover, the partnership program should boost the creation
of a better management system and more professional
cooperatives," Soeharto added. "Small businesses will benefit
from such partnerships."
Small-scale industries, according to Soeharto, can afford to
absorb a large workforce with very limited capital. They also
have the capability to manufacture export-oriented products.
"By the turn of the century, we will see a lot of global
cooperation despite tighter competition," Soeharto said.
He promised that the government would pave the way small
industries to improve their competitive edge. He added, however,
that it is the businesses themselves that would play the most
important role in the competition.
Soeharto said that the exhibition, which will display
different handicrafts from the country's 27 provinces, is a very
positive event because it will allow visitors access to a variety
of products.
He urged the participants of the exhibition to make use of the
event to up-grade their skills through seminars and discussions.
The opening ceremony at the State Palace was also attended by
Vice President Try Sutrisno and chairwoman of the National
Handicraft Board Tuti Try Sutrisno.
The exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center will last
until Sept. 12. (alo)