JOKOWI OPENS INDONESIA’S LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE EXPO

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Nov 14, 2018
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened on Thursday the 26th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), one of the biggest automotive expos in the country, which will take place until Aug. 12.

The event, organized by the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) since 1986, introduces, among others, eco-friendly vehicles and state-of-the-art automotive technology with “Beyond Mobility” as this year's theme.

President Jokowi, who appeared for the first time in the annual event, said automotive manufacturers had to seek new foreign markets, in addition to their efforts to compete for domestic demand.

“I see the automotive sector as the one that has gone international the most,” Jokowi said in his speech during the GIIAS opening ceremony.

"Therefore, we should pay attention to the development of the automotive sector internationally because it [the trend] starts in developed countries.”

Other government figures attending the opening ceremony included Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Industry Ministrer Airlangga Hartarto and Financial Services Authority (OJK) chairman Wimboh Santoso.

More than 250 automakers are taking part in the event, in which 40 new models and concept cars as well as eight new motorcycle models were launched.

Separately, Gaikindo chairman Johannes Nangoi expressed the hope that the sales of this year event would exceed last year’s achievement, which was recorded at 23,000 vehicles worth Rp 7.2 trillion (US$497.9 million).