Naveed Ahmad Khan
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the 38th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) which was held at ICE BSD City, Tangerang, Banten on Wednesday.
President Jokowi opened TEI 2023 virtually because he has been in China since October 16 2023.
This event will be held offline at ICE BSD during 18-22 October 2023 and online 18 October-18 December 2023. “By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare that the 38th Indonesian Trade Expo in 2023 is open,” said Jokowi in a video message.
Jokowi welcomed this annual event organized by the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) because it allows Indonesian exporters to meet face to face with potential buyers who want to see products and conduct negotiations directly. This way you can open up bigger transaction opportunities.
“Moreover, I heard that this year the focus is also on opening opportunities from non-traditional markets such as the Middle East, South Asia and Africa which are done offline and online. This is very good and I ask that it be continued so that we can diversify the market and expand the market, we can continue to improve it so that entrepreneurs “Indonesia, Indonesian MSMEs and local Indonesian product industries can progress further and become an important part of the global supply chain,” he said.
On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga said the transaction target in TEI 2023 reached US$ 11 billion or Rp. 172.7 trillion. This amount is greater than last year’s target of US$ 10 billion, although lower than the realization of US$ 15.8 billion.
“This year’s TEI is expected to contribute to increasing exports with a trade transaction target of US$ 11 billion,” said Jerry.
Apart from that, in TEI 2023 it is said that 187 MoU purchasing mission commitments will be signed from 32 countries. Currently, Indonesia is claimed to have 38 bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements in all continents of the world.
“The performance of trade agreements and trade agreement negotiations that have been carried out by the Ministry of Trade and the team have really provided aspects of convenience for business actors in exporting abroad,” said Jerry.
It is known that TEI 2023 carries the theme ‘Sustainable Trade for Global Economic Resilience’. This year’s event is divided into 7 category zones, namely food & beverages, home living, digital & services, beauty & personal care. Then chemical, energy & industrial products, medical equipment & healthcare, as well as fashion, textile & accessories.
Apart from exhibitions, supporting programs are also carried out, namely business matching, business counseling, international seminars, business dialogue, and international and local trade missions. Deputy Minister of Trade Dr Jerry Sambuaga and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Mr. Airlangga Hartarto
Indonesia graced the event with their presence. They apprised the guests about the aim of the exhibition that is to bridge the gaps and encourage the bilateral agreements for mutual benefit. The spacious hall of the Exhibition Convention was full of participants from Indonesia, ASEAN states,Africa, Western countries and Asia including Pakistan. Two delegations of Islamabad and Faisalabad Chambers of Commerce are visiting the exhibition to explore the trade with Indonesia companies.
It is the biggest trade exhibition for conducting business communication ong the stake holders.This year Indonesia has introduced more varied and value added products. These products are according to food safety standards, environment friendly and up to the international markets’ priorities.
An important segment of the opening ceremony was the distribution of export import awards to qualifying Indonesian businessmen. Many of them were women, which indicates the expertise and entrepreneurship qualities of Indonesian women.
As Indonesia is a highly diversified country with respect to the local cultures, a cultural performance was specifically arranged that literally enthralled the guests. Local artists dressed in traditional outfits won hearts with their demonstration of beautiful local culture that was full of colours.
Alongside the exhibition, buyers and visitors are also invited to join a series of business matching, business counseling and international seminars that altogether will create more benefits and added values of visiting Trade Expo Indonesia 2023.