Heaptalk, Jakarta — President Joko Widodo officially opened the Apkasi Otonomi Expo and Procurement Network 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Wednesday (07/10).
In his remarks, Jokowi stated that the past five years have been challenging, from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and global geopolitical developments to the El Niño and La Niña phenomena. “These have led to numerous health, economy, food, finance, and humanity crises,” said Jokowi.
The Indonesian people should be grateful for being able to withstand these obstacles and challenges significantly since Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2024. He voiced, “It is very difficult for countries to maintain growth above 5% nowadays.”
Jokowi explained that competition between countries is not about big countries defeating small ones but fast countries defeating slow ones. “We aim to be a fast country regarding public services and the mobility of goods and people. After navigating the past five years, this experience has made us more mature and adept at managing districts, provinces, and the nation, managing finances, making policies, and managing budgets,” Jokowi explained.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Apkasi, Sarman Simanjorang, as the Chief Organizer of Apkasi Otonomi Expo (AOE) 2024, explained that the exhibition is held on July 10-12, 2024, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, Jakarta, with the theme ‘Increasing Regional Competitiveness Towards Golden Indonesia 2045.’
This 19th edition of the AOE is a suitable platform and moment for continuing regional economic recovery in various sectors, especially in the trade, tourism, creative economy, and investment sectors. Sarman conveyed, “Local governments and other stakeholders must take advantage of this momentum, considering the export demand for agricultural and plantation commodities such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, spices, corn, coconut, vegetables, and fruits is starting to revive. Local governments should seize this opportunity immediately.”
Sarman added that the tourism sector is starting to revive with Indonesia’s reopening of tourist spots. Investors are beginning to show interest in investing in various regional sectors. Through the AOE 2024 Trade, Tourism & Investment promotional event, Apkasi aims to help regions capitalize on various moments to revive and recover regional economies.
At AOE 2024, Apkasi is ready to facilitate potential buyers and investors by cooperating with the Ministry of Trade and involving the Indonesia Promotion Trade Center (ITPC) abroad. “Therefore, we hope all Apkasi members from Sabang to Merauke and from Miangas to Rote Island can participate in AOE 2024, and we hope regional coordinators across Indonesia will encourage all their members to participate in this event as regional coordinators are the spearhead of all Apkasi activities,” Sarman concluded.
