President Joko Widodo Opens the 39th Trade Expo Indonesia

 

President Joko Widodo officially opened the 39th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), Tangerang Regency, Banten on Wednesday.

It is one of the largest international trade exhibitions in Indonesia with the theme "Build Strong Connection with the Best of Indonesia".

It is taking place between October 9 and October 12, 2024.

"We must be able to take advantage of this momentum to encourage even higher export growth, and to improve the quality and competitiveness of our products, as well as be able to expand to wider markets," said the President.

In his report, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the 39th TEI was received with very high enthusiasm from foreign buyers.

This year, the number of overseas buyers committed to attending was recorded at 6,647, an increase of 124.4 per cent from the number of buyers in 2023 which was recorded at 2,961.

The number of buyers in 2024 will predominantly come from nontraditional markets with a percentage reaching 60.57 percent, while buyers from traditional markets will be 39.43 per cent.

 "We express our appreciation and gratitude for the full cooperation and support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian Representatives in partner countries, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and chambers of commerce from friendly countries who have made maximum efforts to attract foreign buyers," said Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hassan.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan also revealed that in 2014 or 10 years ago, the first TEI of President Jokowi's administration generated transactions amounting to USD 1.42 billion.

Meanwhile, in 2023, TEI was be able to record total transactions reaching USD 30.5 billion.

Also present at the opening of the 39th TEI were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Investment Rosan Roeslani, Chairman of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD) Sultan B. Najamudin, Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anindya Bakrie, General Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI ) Akbar Buchari, Acting Governor of Banten Al Muktabar, Deputy Chair of the Indonesian DPD, Former Ministers of Trade, Indonesian Ambassadors in friendly countries, and Ambassadors of friendly countries in Indonesia.

Also accompanying the Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, were Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga and Echelon I Officials within the Ministry of Trade.

by DOUGLAS OKIDDY