The Indonesian Express
The Ministry of Trade is all in for the Indonesia Shopping Festival (ISF) happening from August 8 to 19, 2024. This support aims to boost purchasing power in shopping centers, back micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and promote the Proudly Made in Indonesia (BBI) program. The ISF 2024 is organized by the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI) to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The festival will take place simultaneously across all shopping centers in Indonesia. This announcement was made by Isy Karim, the Director General of Domestic Trade at the Ministry of Trade, during a press conference for ISF 2024 today, Tuesday, July 30, at the Ministry's office in Jakarta. Isy hopes that the ISF will engage MSMEs and help absorb their products for long-term benefits. "The Indonesia Shopping Festival 2024 plays a key role in attracting consumers to shopping centers. We hope ISF can involve many MSMEs and support the BBI program by promoting local products," Isy stated. The opening of ISF 2024 is set to take place at PIK Avenue, Jakarta, on August 8, 2024, with the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan and Jakarta's Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono expected to attend. Besides Isy Karim, the press conference also featured Alphonzus Widjaja, the Chairman of the Central Representative Council (DPP) of APPBI, Juan Permata Adoe, the Vice Chairman of Trade at Kadin Indonesia, and Shinta Kamdani, the Chairwoman of the National Leadership Council (DPN) of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo). Isy added that the Ministry encourages all Indonesian businesses to enhance their creativity and product quality to increase their chances of entering shopping centers. This is something that MSMEs, creative economy players, and local entrepreneurs with their own brands should focus on. Isy explained that the involvement of local business players is expected to increase in filling the portion of products sold in shopping centers. Support the National Economy Chairman of the DPP APPBI Alphonzus Wijaya said that ISF 2024 aims to optimize the increase in the number of transactions in the retail sector and the number of visitors to shopping centers. He hopes that this activity will accelerate national economic growth and actively support the national economy to become more sustainable. "Along with the celebration of the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, the Indonesia Shopping Festival 2024 is being presented by APPBI with the hope of playing an active role in the national economic growth, especially in shopping centers," explained Alphonzus. Alphonzus also said that APPBI supports the national economy, especially in the retail sector, so that it can continue to move forward and continue the country's development towards Indonesia Maju. During the implementation of ISF 2024, domestic product exhibitions and UMKM will be present in all shopping centers, and a typical Indonesian culinary festival will be held in Posh Market Vol. 2 in Kota Kasablanka, Jakarta. Meanwhile, to preserve genuine Indonesian products, fashion from local designers and UMKM under the title Lokal Made will be held at PIK Avenue, Jakarta. In addition, exhibitions of traditional Indonesian toys and food will also be present through the Children's Toy Village held at Living World Kota Wisata Cibubur, West Java. In the excitement of the independence celebration, ISF 2024 will be filled with special discounts of up to 79 percent in line with the age of the Republic of Indonesia this year. The ISF 2024 program is also supported by Apindo, which represents the Indonesian business world. According to Shinta, ISF 2024 is a tangible manifestation of the spirit of supporting national economic growth. She said that through this festival, not only is there an opportunity for retail and UMKM players to advance their businesses, but it also encourages people to shop at local shopping centers.