The exposition is also the first step towards connecting goods and people in the Pacific and Southeast AsiaAuckland (ANTARA) - At least 123 companies from Indonesia and other Pacific countries are participating in the First Pacific Exposition 2019 organized in Auckland, New Zealand, from July 12 to 14, by the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington. The expo is being organized in cooperation with the Governments of New Zealand and Australia, among others.
Both, Indonesian state enterprises (BUMN) and private companies, were taking part in the expo, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said following the opening of the event here Friday.
"In addition, as of Friday, 400 invitees are also attending the Pacific Exposition 2019 in Auckland," she said.
Potential buyers from several Pacific nations were also invited to a business and investment meeting called the BUMN Forum organized Friday, July 12, as part of the expo activities, said Tantowi Yahya, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga.
"To achieve the targets, the BUMN Forum made a presentation on strategic industries' products such as telecommunication, defense, securities printing, and transportation including railway and energy," he said.
Ministers from seven Pacific countries arrived at the expo where they had discussions with representatives of BUMN for an hour.
The First Pacific Exposition is a trade, investment and tourism event, designed to facilitate the South Pacific countries to promote their economic opportunities, Yahya said earlier, in his opening remarks.
The three-day event will look to increase business opportunities and develop networks for business communities, governments and tourism authorities in the Pacific.
"The exposition is also the first step towards connecting goods and people in the Pacific and Southeast Asia," he said.
With such vast untapped potential, there is a growing need to promote what Pacific countries have to offer, in particular to their neighboring regions. Being its closest neighbor, Southeast Asia holds potential and challenges that are waiting to be revealed.
Regional cooperation is essential to maximize national benefits, especially in terms of improved connectivity, product development, and joint marketing as a single major brand in goods and tourism, Yahya noted.
Translator: Hendrina D Kandipi, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
