Susilo opens Jakarta Fair

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened on Thursday the Jakarta Fair, which is part of the celebrations of the city's 478th anniversary on June 22.

In his opening speech, Susilo called on the people to take part in the country's drive to "love and use local products" as a measure to generate economic growth.

"By loving and buying local products we would revive ailing local industries and in turn improve the country's economy," Susilo emphasized.

Susilo had earlier asked his ministers to visit the fair and purchase local products.

The month-long event will be held from June 16 to July 17 at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Fair organizers said on Tuesday that they hoped to attract 2.5 million visitors this year and secure Rp 389 billion in transactions.

Total transaction value in last year's event was Rp 300 billion, while total visitor numbers stood at 2.3 million.

Organizer said the fair involved at least 380 companies, some of them foreign companies.

The fair will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends with ticket prices Rp 10,000 on weekdays and Rp 15,000 on weekends or public holidays.

The fair will also feature areas specially designed and decorated to depict Kampoeng Betawi (village of native Jakartans), China Town, Jakarta during Dutch occupation and Jakarta in the future. --The Jakarta Post