Jakarta. Jakarta International Investment, Trade, Tourism and SMEs Expo (JITEX) 2026 officially opened Thursday at the JIEXPO Convention Center, bringing together businesses, investors and strategic partners as Jakarta seeks to strengthen its position as a global business and tourism hub.

Organized by the Asian Trade, Tourism and Economics Council (ATTEC) and the Indonesian Association of Retailers and Shopping Center Tenants (HIPPINDO), in partnership with the Jakarta administration’s Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency (PPKUKM), this year’s event carries the theme “Igniting Economy.”

The exhibition is designed to strengthen Jakarta’s business connectivity, investment opportunities, and tourism ecosystem ahead of the city’s 500th anniversary in 2027.

Connecting Businesses With Global Opportunities

Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno highlighted the capital’s economic resilience, citing annual growth of 5.52% in the second quarter of 2026. He identified trade as one of the key drivers of economic activity and said the performance provided a foundation for strengthening Jakarta’s competitiveness.

“JITEX 2026 features 275 booths from various sectors,” Rano said during the opening ceremony.

He emphasized that JITEX was designed to go beyond a conventional trade exhibition by bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, buyers, and strategic partners through exhibitions, business forums, and business-matching sessions.

“We want to ensure that JITEX does not stop at meetings and business transactions but becomes a driver for new opportunities, business deals, long-term partnerships, and pathways for Jakarta businesses to reach global markets,” he said.

The event provides opportunities for participating businesses to explore partnerships and connect with potential markets, supporting the administration’s efforts to expand Jakarta’s economic reach.

Integrating Trade With Creative Economy

JITEX 2026 also incorporates the Jakarta Intellectual Property Festival (FKI), reflecting the administration’s focus on creative industries and intellectual property as sources of economic growth.

Rano said JITEX and FKI serve complementary roles. While JITEX provides access to investment, trade, and global markets, FKI brings local creativity and intellectual property into the broader economic ecosystem.

“A single creative work can have a long journey. A book can become a film, produce music and a soundtrack, and develop into various other creative works and economic opportunities,” Rano said.

He expressed hopes that Jakarta would become a place where creative works are developed, connected with markets, and introduced to international audiences.

“As a global and culturally rich city, Jakarta is not only open to investment, trade, and markets, but can also bring the works, creativity, and intellectual property of its residents to the global stage,” he said.

Building Business Connections Beyond the Exhibition

Budihardjo Iduansjah, chairman of ATTEC and HIPPINDO, described JITEX as a platform for connecting supply and demand rather than simply an exhibition.

“We want to connect buyers, investors, and business partners from various networks with Indonesian products and business potential,” Budihardjo said.

He added that the organizers hoped the meetings would lead to transactions, investment, and partnerships that continue beyond the event.

Jakarta’s position as a center for trade, services, investment, tourism, and the creative economy provides a foundation for expanding Indonesia’s economic connections with international markets, he said.

Tourism Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa said JITEX demonstrates Jakarta’s potential to play a larger role in connecting businesses with investment and international market opportunities. She also encouraged other regions to develop similar platforms.

Ni Luh stressed that the event’s success should be measured beyond its four-day implementation, including through new investments, expanded market access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and new business partnerships.

“The spirit of Ignite Economy is not only about activating the economy today, but about building an ecosystem that enables sustainable growth and delivers broader benefits,” she said.

A Platform for Trade, Investment and Tourism

JITEX 2026 supports Jakarta’s ambition to enter the world’s top 20 global cities by 2045. The event is intended to contribute to the development of Jakarta as a competitive global city and global creative hub through stronger international business networks.

Its program includes local and international product exhibitions, JITEX Business Matching, the Jakarta Domestic Product Utilization (P3DN) Business Matching program, business and investment forums, memorandum of understanding signings, panel discussions, workshops, focus group discussions, and networking programs.

The event is further supported by the Asia Food & Ecosystem Expo (AFEX) and Asia Sourcing Expo (ASE), alongside the Asia Food & Ecosystem Summit and ATTEC Global Investment Forum. These platforms bring together businesses, investors, government representatives, and international partners.

Beyond business activities, JITEX 2026 features a culinary festival, concerts, and cultural performances, connecting trade and investment with tourism, creativity, and Jakarta’s cultural assets.

Through its “Ignite the Economy” theme, JITEX 2026 seeks to strengthen Jakarta’s connections with national and international markets, while creating opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable business cooperation.

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