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By APD writer Maverick
JAKARTA, March 24 (APD) - Indonesia launched here on Friday the souvenirs of the upcoming 2018 Asian Games sports event, highly expected to promote further products of domestic Small Middle Enterprises (SMEs) in the international event.
Chairman of Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Eric Thohir said that most part of the souvenir merchandises for the upcoming international sports event were made by Indonesian SMEs with particular items were manufactured by international producers.
“The launch of these merchandises were not only fulfilling the demands of Asian Games souvenir enthusiasts, it also has a mission to grow higher the people’s economy,” Eric said in the launching event here, adding that the launch was conducted in the right moment five months prior to the sports event.
He added that the merchandises were produced by 20 local manufacturers, including the SMEs and international producers.
Over 200 merchandise categories were produced for the once-every-four-year event, divided in various items among others apparels, bags, socks, home goods, personal care, stationery and game apps, he said.
Besides the merchandises, INASGOC also has coordinated with Indonesian central bank and postal office to issue Asian Games series of coins and stamps, Eric said.
“This is a historical moment for Indonesia after it organized the Asian Games 56 years ago. The production of coins and stamps was intended to give official memorabilia for our generations later on that we already organized the Asian Games twice,” Eric added.
All of the merchandises, coins and stamps have been distributed for public at present. The merchandises can be procured in several shopping malls, mini markets that opened nationwide and can be ordered online.
According to Eric, the official Asian Games merchandises were tagged with holograms. He said INASGOC expected to earn up to 20 billion rupiah (about 1.4 million U.S.Dollars) from the sales of the merchandises.
INASGOC has previously launched the mascots for 2018 Asian Games, animated from Indonesia’s endemic animals. Those mascots were Bhin Bhin, Atung and Kaka.
Bhin Bhin was derived from Paradise Bird which can only be found in Indonesia’s Papua island.
Meanwhile, Atung was an animated deer derived from Indonesia’s East Java province.
Kaka was animated figure of a single-horn rhino, which was exclusive found in West Java province’s Ujung Kulon.
Indonesia is now progressing projects to facilitate the Asian countries’ largest sports event with several venues to host the matches have been completed.
The nation has recently held the pre Asian Games competitions in several sports, participated by several Asian countries, aimed to test readiness of the organizer to hold the event.
Indonesian capital Jakarta hosted the 4th Asian Games in 1962 after it was hosted by New Delhi, Manila and Tokyo in 1951, 1954 and 1958.
The 18th Asian Games was slated to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia’s two cities of Jakarta and Palembang, participated by over 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
