Indonesia to host international eco products exhibition

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in cooperation with the Manpower and Organization Ministry will host the 6th Eco-products International Fair (EPIF) on 4-7 March 2010 in the Jakarta Convention Center.

The EPIF is the largest environmental exhibition in Asia, where companies and institutions exhibit environmental friendly products and services.

The event is held annually by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) which has members in 20 Asian countries, aiming to enhance productivity, with sustainability.

"The event provides a chance for Indonesian industries to improve their image on environment issues," said Kadin chairman Mohammad S. Hidayat.

Hidayat said that Indonesian businesses especially in the mining and forestry sectors have been accused of destroying the environment by many NGOs.

NGOs based in the United States and European countries have repeatedly called on for a boycott of Indonesian products due to environmentally damaging production methods.

"Indonesian businesses should show the international participants and visitors their real environmental conditions in regard to their business activities," said Hidayat.

He said that seminars in the event on *blacklisted sectors' such as forestry and mining should allow space for Indonesian businesses to explain themselves and refute accusations.

The 6th EPIF Project Director Handito Joewono said that financial gain was not really the top priority in the event. The organizers targeted 200 participants and 100,000 visitors to visit the fair. Yet, they did not target the total transaction value, Handito said.

Handito said that the organizers have not decided the exhibition fees yet for participant companies. "However, "The organizer will definitely set suitable exhibition fees that are affordable for small and medium enterprises," he said.

Handito added that the government promised to give financial support to the event. Yet, he declined to specify the amount of financial support. (mrs)