PRESIDENT TO OPEN HANDICRAFT TRADE FAIR

Jakarta, April 22 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to officially open the 11th Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair or INACRAFT at the Jakarta Convention Center, here on Wednesday.

The 11th INACRAFT being held on April 22-26, is organized at the initiative of the Indonesian Handicraft Producer and Exporter Association (ASEPHI) and its partner PT Mediatama Binakreasi.
INCRAFT, which this year features West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), is the biggest and the most complete exhibition of gifts and housewares in Indonesia.
At least 1,700 domestic and foreign companies are taking part in the trade fair at the 24,080-sq meter JCC. This year, around 700 foreign buyers are expected to visit the INACRAFT.
Major importers of Indonesia's handicrafts include the United States (US), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan, Singapore, and Italy.
The Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair is a gold business opportunity for those seeking information of the latest trends, products and services.
INACRAFT 2009 is featuring the latest style handicraft products from qualified Indonesian craftsmen. The fair offers a wide range of handicrafts, including jewelry, textiles, accessories and traditional decorations.
Exhibited products include aromatherapy, dried flowers, ceramic flowers vase, lighting lamp, wood carving, craft silver, table cover embroidery, Wooden furniture, rattan furniture, coconut furniture, bamboo furniture, wooden toys, game board, jigsaw puzzles, gold and silver jewelry, pearl jewelry, shell jewelry, precious stones, batik, and Muslim dresses.
INACRAFT 2009's central theme is "From Smart Village to Global Market" by emphasizing the sub theme "Inspiring People to Care about the Environmentally Friendly Handicraft".
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when officially opened last year's INACRAFT said the handicraft industry contributed Rp 105 trillion to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 and created five million new jobs.Handicraft exports, valued at $620 million, grew by 19.5 percent on 2006.