Govt plans ASEAN Fair in Bali

Erwida Maulia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Wed, 07/06/2011

The government plans to allocate Rp 101 billion (US$11.8 million) to organize a month-long ASEAN Fair 2011 in Nusa Dua, Bali, as part of efforts to promote the ASEAN Community.

Indonesian Trade Ministry secretary-general Ardiansyah Parman said Wednesday in Jakarta that the fair was being organized at the instruction of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Indonesia is the chair of ASEAN this year.

Ardiansyah said the event was estimated to cost Rp 101 billion, and that the ministry, one of those tasked with organizing the fair, would finance it using money saved from the ministry's 2011 budget.

"The Trade Ministry has saved about 10 percent of its budget, such as funds intended for officials' working trips that we think could be allocated for more important activities," Ardiansyah said during a House of Representatives Commission VI for trade, industry and investment hearing on the proposed fund allocation.

"The Rp 101 billion will come from funds we've managed to save from 10 programs at the Trade Ministry," he added.

Ardiansyah said Rp 14 billion of the funds would be used for promotional and public relations activities, Rp 68 billion on main expo and festival activities, Rp 9.5 billion on opening and closing ceremonies and the remainder on other things.

The fair will include music and food festivals, theatrical performances, and book and handicrafts expos.

Lawmakers have yet to respond to the proposal.