"Hopefully, this event would run as expected and demonstrate the quality of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)," Nasution stated on the sidelines of the opening.
Minister Nasution remarked that the development and progress of SOEs is getting better, so they are expected to play a significant role as agents of development in the country.
"I also heard that the number of state-owned companies that lost money is declining, and this is very good," the former governor of Bank Indonesia stated.
A total of 106 SOEs and several regional-owned enterprises as well as several national and international private companies are participating in the exhibition, being held for the third time this year.
The exhibition, initiated by the Ministry of SOEs along with the state media cluster incorporated of the National Publishing and News Corporation (NPNC), is being held on October 3-6, 2018.
Minister Nasution expressed hope that SOEs and other business entities would work together to build Indonesia, so that they would not lag behind in the competition with other countries.
According to the minister, two points should be prioritized in order to improve the quality of SOEs` works: participating in investments and exporting as well as improving the quality of human resources through vocational education.
"Investments and exports are made to deal with the dynamics of the world economy. Meanwhile, SOEs are expected to get involved in vocational education programs," he stated.
He stated that vocational education is expected to make graduates more productive, as educational programs are designed to be work-oriented.
The IBD Expo 2018 features some side events, including international exhibitions and conferences, seminars, and job exchanges.
The 2018 IBD is held under the theme "SOEs never stop building the country," with the hope that the event would showcase to the people the strategic role of SOEs in building Indonesia.
Reporting by Fiqih Arfani
Editing by Libertina W Ambari
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
