The Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) automotive exhibition was officially opened in Surabaya, East Java on Friday (29/3). The exhibition is organized by the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo). Minister of Industry, Airlangga Hartarto, when opening the exhibition said that the export of completely built up (CBU) cars had reached 264 thousand units, and Completely Knock Down (CKD) around 82 thousand units, bringing the total to 346 thousand units.
The Ministry of Industry targets the national automotive exports to be able to penetrate 450 thousand units this year, along with the optimization of local components which increase every year. Minister Airlangga said that the automotive industry is now one of the mainstay sectors in supporting the national economic growth. Therefore, the government prioritizes the development of the automotive industry in order to be more competitive globally, especially amidst the digital era.He also emphasized that the government keeps creating a conducive business climate in a bid to push the addition of new investments and business expansion in the automotive industry sector. Minister Airlangga Hartarto also pointed out that national automotive products have been competitive in the international arena. This competitiveness is inseparable from the optimization of local components. According to Minister Airlangga, the level of domestic components is the key to success of the national automotive industry sector and this is expected to be a hub for the ASEAN market even at the Asian level.Minister Airlangga added that in the domestic market, Indonesia is superior to Thailand. He targets that production will be able to reach 1.5 million units by 2020. He appreciated the implementation of the 2019 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show which pays serious attention to the transfer of information on technology and innovation of motor vehicles, especially cars. He hopes that this series of exhibitions featuring the latest products and technologies for commercial vehicles can run smoothly, and provide a positive role for the automotive industry in Indonesia. Meanwhile, General Chairman of Gaikindo, Yohannes Nangoi wants the implementation of Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Surabaya to be one of the important elements to push the growth of the national automotive industry. He added that the exhibition which has taken from March 29 to April 7 will be visited by around 50 thousand people.