Jakarta Fair Is Back!

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

Fireworks party enlivened the opening of the 2015 Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran, Jakarta, Friday (29/5/2015).

After a two-year hiatus, the annual Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ), or Jakarta Fair, is back. This year’s event is expected to match the achievements it made in 2019.

In 2019, visitor numbers reached 6.8 million, with a transaction value of Rp 7.5 trillion (US$5.14 billion). This year, apart from displaying a variety of products, the PRJ is also holding a number of cultural events, such as carnivals and concerts. There will around 350 booths and 2,500 vendors.

The PRJ, first held in 1968 at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, has now grown to become the largest annual exhibition in Southeast Asia. Especially this year, PRJ is also an opportunity to showcase the country’s economic revival and the resumption of public activities after they were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic for around two years.

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In relation to this, it is interesting to note Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s statement at the opening of the PRJ on Thursday, 9 June. The fair, which takes place at the Jakarta Fairground, is also expected to be a means for the exhibitors to learn from, support, and work with each other to rise together.

This move is in line with the PRJ's subtheme of "Advancing Indonesian Products for Domestic and World Markets".

A platform to introduce products at affordable costs is much needed by businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). For this reason, the decision of the Jakarta provincial administration to provide a designated area at the PRJ, the Jakarta Pavilion, for MSME members of the Jakpreneur program should be appreciated. This move is in line with the PRJ's subtheme of "Advancing Indonesian Products for Domestic and World Markets".

The provision of a special showroom for MSMEs, especially as the strategically located space has been expanded, will reduce the impression that the PRJ is merely a platform that promotes large companies with an aim to gain maximum economic benefits.

In the midst of the current economic pressures amid rising food and energy prices, support for MSMEs should continue and not be limited to providing exhibition space such as at the PRJ. Moreover, experience has proven that MSMEs are a vital pillar to keep the economy running during a crisis.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Residents visited the location of the Jakarta Fair (PRJ) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, Saturday (16/6/2018).

As an event that attracts many people, the PRJ must also prioritize visitor safety. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic remains under control, the health protocols should not be ignored. Moreover, since May 2022, new subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant, namely the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, have been detected in a number of regions in Indonesia.

A number of countries are on alert over the two new subvariants. Singapore has even predicted that a new wave of Covid-19 will occur there in July.

Finally, controlling the spread of Covid-19 and recovering the economy has been the dream of many parties. The PRJ can be part of the efforts to respond to that dream while still implementing health protocols and providing broad opportunities for MSME participation.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.