Indonesia Pavilion at IMF-WB Meeting To Get More Days

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry plans to extend the operating period of an Indonesian product exhibition, a sideline event of the 2018 International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meeting, to reach out to larger audiences.

The exhibition, which is also called the Indonesia Pavilion, was initially scheduled for Oct 8-14 and is only open to delegates and participants of the meeting.

Sahala Lumban Gaol, a special advisor to the state-owned enterprises minister, said the general public having no passes are restricted from entering the exhibition area because it is located within the same venue as the meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali.

"Other public members also have to know what Indonesia has achieved in the economic front and how Indonesia's economy has developed," Sahala told CNNIndonesia.com.

The ministry, however, has yet to determine the number of extra days to be given for the exhibition, he said.

The government is also set to roll out similar exhibitions, likely in the Borobudur Temple Compounds--northwest of Yogyakarta--and in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara, to name a few.

"The Indonesia Pavilion will be a model for similar exhibitions in the future under the auspices of the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry," said Sahala.

The Indonesia Pavilion serves as a gallery that showcases various products originating from Indonesia, like batik that comes different parts of the country, handicrafts, and paintings. It also provides information about Indonesia's latest economic development.

Around 150 micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises from 64 regencies and cities are participating in the exhibition, showing products they are good at manufacturing.

The government also displays information about a number of infrastructure projects in Indonesia, like toll roads, and locally produced transportation modes, such as train cars that are manufactured by state-owned enterprise PT INKA (Perseroo).

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said she was mesmerized by the Indonesia Pavilion after a visit on Wednesday (10/10).

"Indonesia Pavilion is very impressive, displaying crafts, technology, and tourism. This is great," she said as she left the venue.

(vws)