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East Java administration is planning to build a jewelry business center near the Juanda airport in Surabaya.
The administration has set aside 140 hectares of land for the facility, provincial industry and trade agency head Cipto Budiono said Friday in Surabaya.
“We have completed the land acquisition process and are now constructing some of the buildings inside that area,” Cipto said on the sidelines of the Surabaya International Jewelry Fair 2008 (see picture).
Exhibitors from a total 24 countries are participating in the fair, which runs until Aug. 25.
East Java is the center of gold jewelry production in Indonesia, producing up to 90 percent of the country’s gold jewelry exports.
The province exports jewelry to Hong Kong, Malaysia, the U.S. and the Middle East through Dubai. In addition to 46 big companies operating in its jewelry industry, East Java is also home to thousands of smaller jewelry businesses.
On average, small companies employ between 10 and 30 staff.
Cipto said the administration expected the business center to boost the industry, which has become one of the trademarks of East Java.
“East Java will benefit from this robust industry. Through jewelry, the industry can also promote our culture to global buyers. For instance, through designs and motifs typical of East Java,” he said. — JP/Indra Harsaputra