100 ASEAN Participants Present At Jitex 2024, Hippindo Boss: There Is A Commitment From Malaysia & Philippines

Chairman of Hippindo Budihardjo Iduansjah (left). (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of DKI Jakarta is collaborating with the Indonesian Shopping Center Retailers & Tenants Association (Hippindo) to hold the Jakarta International Investment, Trade, Tourism and SME Expo or Jitex 2024 exhibitions.

This event was held in order to support the transition of Jakarta to become a global city.

This exhibition will be held on 7-11 August 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).

To support Jakarta as the City of Global Berjuta Pesona, Jitex 2024 will be the event B2B, B2G and B2C.

Chairman of Hippindo Budihardjo Iduansjah said this event was held in order to attract buyers, both local and international and encourage significant economic growth. According to him, at least 100 participants from various countries will participate in the exhibition.

"There is a commitment from the Malaysian Retail Association and the Philippine Retail Association to attend," Budihardjo said in his remarks at the Jakarta International Investment, Trade, Tourism and SME Expo (Jitex) 2024 press conference at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, July 17.

Budihardjo revealed that this event will be different from the Inabuyer B2B2G Expo 2024 which focuses on its exhibition activities.

For Jitex itself, his party was asked to insert elements of tourism.

Thus, the hope is that it can further encourage tourists who travel in Indonesia to shop. Tourists will be provided with hotel facilities to dinner.

"So, we (give) services to B2B tourists. Tourists B2B, tuh, who brought orders and were told that Jakarta is fun, so that every year we go on summer vacation to Jakarta. We have 100 tourists (registered)," he said when met after the event.

He said of the 100 people, there were 40 Malaysian tourists and the rest were from the Philippines, Bangkok, Laos, and Cambodia that had been registered.

"So, we made (Jitex 2024) ASEAN this year. Next year, the whole world can attend the seventh month, (when) summer holidays while watching exhibitions, while traveling," said Budihardjo.

Regarding the event, Budi said, there have been a number of entrepreneurs from Malaysia and the Philippines who have expressed their commitment to investing in Jakarta.

As a retailer association, Hippindo itself helps these investors regarding the rental of the Food & Beverage (F&B) construction site, restaurants, supermarkets to commercial areas.

On the same occasion, Head of the Trade Industry Office of the DKI Jakarta Province Small and Medium Enterprises Cooperative (PPKUKM) Elisabeth Ratu Rante Allo said, Jakarta has great potential on the international stage which can encourage economic growth.

According to him, this needs to be encouraged as the main goal for business and tourism.

"We want this collaboration to really start now. So, even though the capital city of Jakarta has moved, we will remain a global city that is truly global," he said in his remarks.

According to the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), said Ratu, his party must also build an IKN with the existence of Jakarta.

This is expected to materialize with the 2024 Jitex event.

"We also invite those who build IKN (to see) the advantages in Jakarta. So, not only in Jakarta. Well, to accelerate efforts to increase Jakarta's competition with other global cities, there are Jitex goals," he said.

Meanwhile, Assistant for the Economy and Finance of the Regional Secretariat of DKI Jakarta Province Sri Haryati said that Jakarta's evolution into a global city is proof of Jakarta's resilience and innovation.

According to him, many startups, multinationals and entrepreneurs are interested in Jakarta. This is because Jakarta is a city in Indonesia that has strong infrastructure.

"We are committed to creating an environment that supports international business and tourism," he added.