VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) opened the International Handicraft Trade Fair (Inacraft) 2023 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, on Wednesday.

In his opening speech at the event, President Widodo said that the exhibition has become better and more interesting.

“As the year goes on, I observe that the Inacraft exhibition has become better and more interesting because we have recognized the brand as one of the biggest handicraft exhibitions in Southeast Asia,” he added.

He said that the Inacraft exhibition has consistently presented the best creations that have been carefully and strictly curated and selected.

“At first glance, I observed a slight difference in this year’s Inacraft, a different feel and ambiance. The products are better, and I saw a lot of participants. There are 18,700 square meters of space divided into 772 booths, which is plentiful, and it means that the area is fully utilized,” he observed.

He then expressed the hope that the exhibition would attract more visitors, more buyers, and generate a larger turnover.

He also lauded the execution of Inacraft, which was initiated by the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicraft (ASEPHI), which seeks to offer a space for young entrepreneurs and artisans and focuses on creative works made by Generation Z.

“I am optimistic that this country can become even better with the presence of young people. Bismillahirahmanirrahim (in the name of God), I officially open Inacraft in October 2023,” President Widodo stated.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of ASEPHI, Muchsin Ridjan, thanked the President and the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo for gracing the opening of the October 2023 edition of the Inacraft.

Ridjan reported that the target for the exhibition was to draw 100 thousand visitors and record retail transactions of Rp50 billion from October 4–8, 2023.

After opening the exhibition, the President and the First Lady toured several areas at the exhibition stand.

(Antara News)