Soeharto to open RI pavilion at Hannover fair

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto is scheduled to inaugurate the Indonesian pavilion at the Hannover Messe '95 exhibition in Germany in April of next year which will feature Indonesia's industrial achievements.

State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie told reporters yesterday that the President along with Chancellor Helmut Kohl would open the world's largest trade fair where over 6,500 participants from 52 countries are expected to attend.

"The Hannover fair will have Indonesia as its 'country partner,'" Habibie said at his office.

Habibie explained that the pavilion, measuring 1,100 square meters, plus another 2,000 square meter open area will exhibit machinery made by Indonesia such as textile machines, steam boilers and generators.

Indonesia will also feature the rear part of the N-250 turboprop aircraft, whose prototype will be rolled out in November. The plane is fully designed by the state-owned aircraft company IPTN, of which Habibie is the president.

Indonesia, with over 200 of its leading companies taking part in the exhibition, will be the first Asia-Pacific nation appointed as the 'country partner' in the event.

The participation in the April 3-8 fair is one of the activities Indonesia is organizing in a number of European countries next year to mark its 50th independence anniversary.

A special committee has been established with Habibie serving as chairman.

"The activities aim to show Indonesia's development since it proclaimed independence in 1945," he said.

Habibie said that the activities, taking the theme of "Progress in Harmony", will highlight 49 exhibitions on industry, service and archaeology, 39 exhibitions on culture, fashion and food, 16 seminars and seven other supporting programs.

Kiosks

There will be a total of 111 different programs in 33 cities in 10 European countries. Other venues will include London, Paris, Rotterdam and Bonn.

"We will establish kiosks to give information about Indonesia's development," said Habibie.

The activities will start in Luxembourg on January with a food festival and end in London with Indonesia's participation in the World Travel Mart.

Habibie said the activities are funded by private companies taking part in the event. "Our hope is that the government will not have to spend a single rupiah."

The minister said a number of government agencies taking part in the event, such as the Directorate General of Tourism, Indonesian embassies and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), will be allocating funds from their own budget.

Habibie said that the fair organizers asked Indonesia to become the country partner 10 years ago but that the request was rejected because it was not the right time.

Due to its world recognition, the Hannover trade fair has great potential as a venue for the marketing of Indonesian products. (par)