Jokowi Quips Shopping Mall Owners Prioritizing Foreign Brands
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15 August 2019 21:35 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has officially opened Hari Belanja Indonesia 2019 or Indonesia Great Sale in The Hall Senayan City, Jakarta, Thursday, August 15.
During his speech, the President quipped shopping mall owners who prioritizing foreign brands instead of local ones. He then demanded retailers assign the marketing priority for domestic products.
One of the measures, he added, is by providing strategic locations inside the mall to local labels. “I ask shopping mall owners, I know a lot of you are here [today], please give strategic places for local brands,” he underlined.
According to the president, Indonesia is a highly promising market, and so it will be unfortunate if the market is mostly filled with foreign labels. Because this is the trade war era, and Indonesia will not conduct protectionism [in trades]. “We are an open market.”
Jokowi further stressed that this is the time to grow the love for domestic goods as they can compete with foreign ones. For example, Indonesian-made shirts are highly saleable in Vietnam.
This year’s Indonesia Great Sale will commence on August 15 until 31, 2019. The annual event initiated by the Indonesian Shopping Centers Tenants Association (Hippindo) aims to commemorate the 74th Indonesian Independence Day. Hundreds of retailers, both national and international, will take part in the event promoting big discounts.
FRISKI RIANA