REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG -- President Joko Widodo opened the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition, Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, on Wednesday, and urged Indonesian businessmen to utilize opportunities emerging out of the current global trade war. He wanted the challenge to be seen as opportunity.

"There is a global trade war today. Use this opportunity to penetrate. There would be difficulties but amidst difficult times usually we can find opportunity to penetrate markets that have been left by countries in the trade war," Joko Widodo, or Jokowi as he popularly known, stated.

The president called on Indonesian businessmen to expand their market by penetrating non-traditional markets, such as South Asia, Russia, Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Pakistan, and South America.

"I hope that we would be able to pay attention to this and manage this, so our exports can be increased, and we can record a surplus in trade balance," Jokowi remarked.

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The president also drew the attention of businessmen to the fourth industrial revolution, wherein some technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of things, virtual reality, and advanced robotics, have been utilized to facilitate society and the industry.

"We have to change fast, if we do not want to be left behind," Jokowi affirmed.

The 33rd TEI will be held on Oct 24-28 under the theme "Creating Product for Global Opportunity."

On the occasion, the president presented the Primaniyarta Award and Primaduta Award. It is the highest accolade bestowed on the most successful Indonesian exporters and to those who can become role models for other Indonesian exporters. The Primaduta Award is handed to buyers, who have been loyal in buying Indonesian products on a frequent basis.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Head of the Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rosan Roeslani, and Banten Governor Wahidin Halim were also present on the occasion.

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