Store owners invited to join Discount Fair
JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is calling on businesses to participate in the Discount Fair, which starts on June 14 to commemorate the city's anniversary and Independence Day.
Kadin president Pungky Bambang Purwadi said on Wednesday the organizer would use the event to promote Jakarta as a tourist shopping destination.
"We will be expecting both local and foreign tourists from neighboring countries to come to the capital for the Discount Fair," Pungky said, adding that cooperation had been set up with the Inbound Tour Operators Club (ITOC) and Indonesian embassies for promotional purposes abroad.
Jakarta will celebrate its 473th anniversary on June 22 and the country will commemorate the 55th anniversary of independence Aug. 17.
"Companies will offer up to 70 percent discount on their merchandise during the event, so that Jakartans from all economic levels can take part in the celebration," head of the organizing committee, Yustian Ismail, said.
Yustian assured the public that discounts would be offered from the original prices of merchandise, not from marked-up prices.
"Law No. 8/1999 on customer protection will apply, so sanctions will be imposed on any businessperson who marks up prices," Yustian added.
Touching on the security condition in the city, Pungky explained that he had urged Governor Sutiyoso to give assurances that the city was safe so that everything would go as expected.
He voiced optimism that the event would demonstrate to other countries that Indonesia's economic, social and security conditions had improved.
"However, we will discuss it further with representatives of the city administration, the Jakarta Police and the Jakarta Military," Pungky said.
Sales at this year's event, which in previous years was called the Shopping Festival, are expected to exceed sales at the 1997 event by 15 percent to 20 percent. Transactions in 1997 totaled Rp 1.62 trillion (US$192.8 million), which was 8 percent higher than 1999's Rp 1.5 trillion.
A representative from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), I Nyoman Pendit, said despite the economic crisis which had affected the hotel and restaurant industry, the association would offer discounts on their services. He noted, however, that the association members would meet to discuss the percentage of discounts to be offered.
The one-month event will also be participated in by companies grouped under the Association of Indonesian Retailers (Arpindo), the Makers of Garment and Accessories Association (APGAI), the Jakarta Promotion Board (Jakprom), city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, the Indonesian Direct Selling Association (APLI), and the Indonesian Shopping Centers Management Organization (IPPB). (06)