Try inaugurates Jakarta Fair
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno underlined yesterday the importance of maturity for Indonesia, which has enjoyed its freedom over the last 50 years.
Speaking at the opening of the one-month Jakarta Fair, at the Kemayoran fair grounds in North Jakarta, the vice president said, "Within the age of 50 years Indonesia must be mature in anticipating and choosing alternatives in all its actions.
He said that maturity is badly needed, to answer various challenges and obstacles, which will grow and be more complicated in the 21st century.
Challenges and obstacles will not only be found in the economic field but also in various aspects of the nation's operations, he said, adding that such conditions requires each Indonesian citizen to have his or her own private and national protection.
He expressed confidence that having such protection will enable Indonesia to have a high level of competitive edge.
According to the vice president, the current global competition requires improvement of products with a high competitive edge, in the areas of quality, variety, practicality and smooth distribution.
He reiterated the importance of productivity, which has to be supported by the capability to search for market opportunities amid increasing competition.
The vice president said businessmen are required to be aggressive, self-reliant and smart in continuously monitoring economic development.
To meet the requirement needs, adequate availability of information, both about their own products and those manufactured by their competitors, are needed, he said, adding that the Jakarta Fair event constitutes the most appropriate medium to improve the promotion activities.
The opening ceremony, which was attended by a number of ministers and representatives of the diplomatic corps, was highlighted by traditional art performances.
According to the organizing committee, this year's event has its own distinction, namely that people over 60 years old are allowed to enter the fair ground free of charge. Normal entrance fee is set at Rp 1,500 (US$0.68). (hhr)