The biggest trade exhibition in Southeast Asia, Trade Expo Indonesia - Virtual Exhibition (TEI-VE) 2020, was officially opened by President Joko Widodo on Tuesday.
The theme for this year’s expo, which ends November 16, 2020, is ‘Sustainable Trade in the Digital Era’.
"In the midst of a pandemic, TEI-VE is here to bring a breakthrough to bridge Indonesian exporters with business partners around the world who have limited physical space," Minister of Trade, Agus Suparmanto, said while delivering his report at the opening ceremony of TEI-VE 2020 on Tuesday.
The Trade Minister said the largest export exhibition in Indonesia is being held virtually for the first time with the use of the latest technology.
This is an attempt by the ministry to shift the trade show from face-to-face to an online format, in accordance with the implementation of the health protocols by the government as part of the new normal order, he added.
The theme for this year’s expo is in line with the aim of increasing the promotion of domestic products to the global market and develop business networks.
This aim was echoed by Suparmanto at the launch of the event. He said the trade show was being held to develop business and investment networks and showcase Indonesia's best products.
"We are optimistic that with this virtual implementation, TEI-VE will contribute to increasing exports, even though the achievement will be difficult to match the results of the 2019 TEI, which successfully recorded transactions of US$ 10.96 billion," the Trade Minister said.
The expo has been well-received by exporters as evidenced by the number of registrations from business actors, which have reached 690 as against the original target of 300, Suparmanto pointed out.
"In addition, as of 10.30 local time on November 10, 2020, we recorded 3,870 registered buyers from 109 countries through online registration and through Indonesian representatives abroad," the minister said.
At the opening of the expo, the Minister of Trade also said that on November 15, 2020, RI would sign a mega Free Trade Agreement (FTA), namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is considered important for Indonesia’s external trade.
"This agreement is important and is a great opportunity to increase Indonesia's export growth with ASEAN countries as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand," the Trade Minister said. (INE)
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