"With pleasure, I invite all the people (of ASEAN) to celebrate this Fair," the president said in his remarks in the front yard of the Nusa Dua Convention Center here on Monday.
The ASEAN Fair is a way to implement ASEAN`s commitment to become a community-based organization, according to the head of state.
The minister said the ASEAN Fair, held for the first time, carried the theme "Hello ASEAN" which was a warm greeting from Indonesia to fellow ASEAN member countries.
"As the ASEAN chair 2011, Indonesia had initiated the ASEAN Fair as a forum for ASEAN members to jointly exhibit their cultures and creative economic products," Mari said.
The minister said that culture was a means to unify the nation that could also unite countries and , through the universal language of culture, Indonesia wanted to honor in a special way ASEAN`s identity and the fraternal bonds existing among its peoples.
The fair`s opening was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika, Badung District Head Anak Agung Gde Agung and ambassadors of ASEAN member countries.
The event was highlighted by among other things parades of decorated cars, traditional Balinese percussion musicians and dancers, and closed with an aerobatic show by defense ministry personnel.(*)
HAJM/F001/O001
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
