Susilo to open RI handicraft exhibit in Tokyo visit

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.