The Jakarta Great Sale (JGS) shopping event was officially launched by Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at Lotte Shopping Avenue mall in South Jakarta on Friday evening.

Ahok said during the opening ceremony that the sale, themed "Shop More, Less Plastic" and being held from Friday until July 17, could make Jakarta an international shopping hub, along with cities like Singapore and Hong Kong.

"We need only to reduce the traffic. It is exhausting to get to the mall with congestion in every direction," he said.

JGS organizing committee chairwoman Ellen Hidayat said 78 modern shopping centers and 20 traditional markets were taking part in the program.

"We aim to reap around Rp 15.74 trillion [US$1.1 billion] in transaction value," she said, adding that the goal had increased 8 percent from last year's achievement of 14.57 trillion.

Ellen said 24 shopping malls would also take part in a Midnight Sale.

"The discounts will be up to 70 percent. We will also have many door prizes and point rewards," she said.

She added that for lovers of handicrafts, local products from the Jakarta Council for National Handicrafts (Dekranasda) would be displayed and sold in 13 shopping malls and centers. (dmr)

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