Jakarta – The organizing committee of the 21st International Handicraft Trade Fair (Inacraft 2019) has set its sights on achieving US$13 million in trade contracts and Rp 149 billion (US$10.58 million) in retail sales during the event that is set to be held at the plenary hall of the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from April 24 to 28.
"We expect 200,000 people to attend the five-day event," Indonesian Handicraft Producers and Exporters Association (Asephi) deputy chairman Gusmardi Bustamil said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by Antara.
Asephi will act as the organizing committee of the event, which will be opened by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and is expected to attract 1,000 buyers from 60 countries.
He said the annual event, which has been held since 1999, would highlight Betawi craft and culture and would adopt the central theme: "From Smart Village to Global Market".
Some 1,700 participants will take part in the event, comprising regional administrations, ministries, state-owned enterprises and private individuals.
Morocco, which will be an honorary participant at the event, will occupy a 216 square meter hall to showcase its crafts and tourist attractions. Other countries set to take part in the event include Japan, Poland, Pakistan and Hong Kong.
Purbalingga regency in Central Java would display 22 handicrafts produced by small and medium enterprises and cooperatives, head of the Purbalingga Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Agency Adi Purwanto said.
"Among the items to be displayed are handicrafts made from coconuts shells, puppets made from grasses and teakwood crafts," Adi said.
He expressed hope handicraft producers from the regency would be able to expand their markets both nationally and internationally. (bbn)