Susilo to open RI handicraft exhibit in Tokyo visit

Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is to open a handicraft exhibition in Tokyo during his scheduled visit to Japan next week, to promote Indonesian culture and hopefully boost trade, tourism and investment between the two nations.

The Indonesia Handicraft Gallery 2005 will feature 40 Indonesian handicraft producers in a 500 square meter area at the Harajuku Quest Hall in Tokyo from June 3 to June 5.

The event is organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and Indonesian Embassy in Japan, and is supported by the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, JETRO and the Jakarta Japan Club.

Kadin vice chairman for industry, technology and marine resources Rachmat Gobel said that the event was aimed at introducing Indonesia as a country rich in natural and human resources as well as culture.

"History shows that culture is an important factor in trade and diplomacy," Rachmat told a press conference on Monday.

Themed: A Journey through Cultural Traditions, Arts and Crafts, the event is expected to entice the Japanese to visit Indonesia.

Susilo will visit Japan for the first time as president from May 31 to June 2, where he is scheduled to meet Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Emperor Akihito. Susilo will meet U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington, in an earlier visit on May 25 and May 26.

Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu said that the event was geared to reviving tourism to the precrisis level. Before the 1997 crisis, up to 700,000 Japanese tourists visited Indonesia annually, compared to last year's figure of 400,000.

"Therefore, the event can promote and improve Indonesia's image as a country rich in culture and with a high tolerance toward other cultures. Such an image is needed to lure investment," she said.

Moreover, she said, the government aimed to double the level of investment in five years. In the investment sector, the total amount of Japan's direct investment from 1967 to 2004 was US$283 billion, topping Indonesia's list of foreign direct investment at 14.6 percent.

There are 1,000 Japanese companies in Indonesia, employing more than 200,000 people.

The exhibition will showcase Indonesian handicrafts as well as traditional herbal drinks, or jamu, and beauty treatments.