Trade promotion center opens in Batam

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan opened a trade promotion center in Batam on Saturday with a special plug for export-oriented handicrafts.

"We want to give a message to the international market that Indonesia can still be considered one of the world's main handicraft-producing countries," Rahardi was quoted by Antara as saying.

"One reason for choosing Batam as the marketing point is because we are thinking of getting closer to the potential foreign buyers."

He noted the island's strategic location off the Sumatran coast and easy access to the international market.

"Besides, many foreign tourists visit Batam. This means saving our budget for promotions."

The minister said the promotion center, Indonesia Emporium- Batam Sands, would serve as a marketing point for export-oriented merchandise produced by small to medium-scale entrepreneurs.

The center, located in Batam's central business district, occupies 1,800 square meters owned by PT Baruna Segara.

Gusmardi Bustami, a senior official of the trade and industry ministry, said the promotion center was filled to its maximum capacity of 76 tenants from small and medium-scale industry and cooperatives.

"The 76 units are rented to tenants from Jakarta with 46, West Java 10, Central Java four, East Java one, Yogyakarta five, Bali two, West Sumatra three, Riau three and West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara one apiece," he added.

Gusmardi said there were also textile and textile products, households products and furniture at the center.

"Due to limited space, for the time being we have to turn down dozens of applicants interested in renting a unit in the Emporium."

Since the soft opening on Dec. 19, the most sought-after merchandise has been handicrafts (46 percent) clothes (30 percent) and furniture (20 percent), he added.

In the near future, Indonesia Emporium will also be opened in Los Angeles, Istanbul and Rotterdam, Rahardi said. (02)