"Hopefully, this shopping festival shows that we can enliven and revive the economy, especially in Jakarta, and more broadly throughout Indonesia," Jakarta regional secretary Marullah said at the festival’s opening here on Thursday.
The 2022 ISF has been organized by the Indonesian Shopping Center Association (APPBI) from August 11 to August 21. The shopping festival is offering various promotions from shopping centers that are members of APPBI, not only in Jakarta, but also across Indonesia.
Marullah said that the economic growth figure issued by the government has shown a positive signal for economic revival.
In Jakarta alone, economic growth in the first quarter of 2022 reached 4.63 percent year-on-year (yoy). Meanwhile, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that Indonesia's economy grew 5.44 percent (yoy) in the second quarter.
"So, I see there is optimism. The growth is no longer a minus, now it is a plus," Marullah said.
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Therefore, through the ISF momentum this year, economic growth is expected to improve, he added.
"If economic growth is good, those who feel it are retail centers, shopping centers, malls, trade centers, and others. When it rotates, other sectors will also grow," he said.
Representing Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria, Marullah lauded the Central Board of APPBI for its initiative to organize ISF.
He also praised the association for cooperating with the government to implement the health protocols and public activity restrictions (PPKM) for more than two years.
"We certainly have to commit to keeping this all up. I do not want to pull the 'brake' (heightened rules of PPKM) anymore. We must keep being vigilant," he said.
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Translator: Rizka K, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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