Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Cars have become a fundamental necessity for every family, especially in major cities, such as Jakarta, according to Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

"The extent of economic progress in Indonesia is apparent by the fulfillment of basic necessities, but now, cars can play their role as a fundamental necessity for families in big cities," Kalla remarked while opening the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2015 at JExpo Kemayoran, here on Wednesday.

Present at the opening ceremony of the IIMS 2015 were Industry Minister Saleh Husin, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnandi, and House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setya Novanto, among others.

On the occasion, the vice president pointed out that in the past two decades, Lebaran holiday travelers have used trains, but they have gradually switched to buses. He noted that during the past few years, Lebaran travelers have opted to use motorcycles, though this year, most of them used their private cars.

"It indicates a significant improvement in family incomes as a result of which cars have now become their fundamental need, and therefore, it is only natural that the automotive industry is now gaining greater importance," Kalla remarked.

However, he expressed hope that public transport would remain a priority to improve the economy and effectiveness.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015