RI hosting solo trade exhibition in Warsaw

Veeramalla Anjaiah and Esther Samboh ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 05/07/2008 9:39 AM  |  World

With the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia may be seeking to regain its former clout in European markets through a glittering solo Indonesian trade expo in the heart of Europe this week.

The Indonesian economy suffered severe losses in international markets after the devastating 1997 Asian financial crisis which left millions jobless.

With exports booming and economic growth of more than 6 percent in recent times, analysts say the country is almost back on track.

With a catchphrase "bridging the gap", the Indonesian government is organizing the "1st Indonesian Expo in Central and East Europe (IE-CEE)" from May 7-10 in the Polish capital of Warsaw.

"The exhibition hopes to show that Indonesia is a reliable partner to Europe," Indonesian Ambassador to Poland (and exhibition organizing committee chairman) Hazairin Pohan said in a recent press release.

Pohan says the exhibition will be Indonesia's biggest and most comprehensive exposition of trade, investment and tourism ever held abroad.

More than 1,000 top Indonesian companies would display their best products and offer services in trade, investment and tourism at the expo.

Several cultural performances would also be organized to promote the tourism industry.

The term Central and Eastern Europe is relatively new, and refers to former communist countries in the so-called Eastern bloc.

"Most countries in this region are very small, but have huge potential in terms of economy and trade. Their economies are doing well," former Indonesian ambassador to Slovakia Lutfi Rauf told The Jakarta Post recently in Bratislava.

While the idea to organize the IE-CEE in Warsaw came from Pohan, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry has pooled its resources from 26 diplomatic missions across Europe to support the expo.

"Being the largest country in the region, with 40 million people, Poland is perfect as an entry point to the rest of Europe," Pohan said.

Polish Ambassador to Indonesia Tomasz Lukaszuk also welcomed Indonesia's efforts to promote its products in CEE countries.

"It's a good idea to hold this kind of exhibition in Warsaw. It would certainly boost trade between Indonesia and Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland," Ambassador Lukaszuk told the Post.

It is estimated the four-day event would attract some 5,000 potential buyers, including investors from across Europe and North Africa.

Over the last few years, Indonesian exports, especially non-oil and gas products, have been booming thanks to high commodity prices.

In 2007, Indonesian exports reached a record US$114.10 billion, an increase of 13.09 percent from $100.79 billion in 2006.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.