Susilo opens export commodity expo

Amid setbacks in the domestic economy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday opened the 20th Export Commodity Expo at the Jakarta International Expo Grounds in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Susilo acknowledged that the current situation at home had been rather discouraging for business players.

"The government fully acknowledges that we have not yet created a confident business climate that would encourage investment and develop our real sector," he said in his opening speech.

He pointed to the need to reform several sectors in a bid to speed the country's economic growth and he encouraged all parties to assist in this process.

In line with the event, the government presented 16 of Indonesia's best exporters with the Primaniyarta awards. The expo, in which 1,170 businesses are taking part, is displaying Indonesia's export commodities from Oct. 4 through Oct. 9. -- JP