by Dames Alexander Sinaga
JAKARTA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Amid the Ramadan season, vendors across Jakarta, Indonesia, are bustling with sales of Chinese-made "Ramadan lanterns" adorned with LED lights and other festive accessories.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, Sulastri Rahma, a 32-year-old vendor, was busy selling Ramadan lanterns, locally known as lampion, from a rented space in front of a two-story house in Pasar Pagi, West Jakarta.
"It's been over two weeks since Ramadan began, but new customers keep coming for lanterns and decorative lights. I'm so grateful," Rahma told Xinhua. The most popular items at her stall are the Ramadan lanterns.
"They are affordable, attractive, and sell well," she said with a smile, expressing hope for even greater sales ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Islamic fasting month.
"More people will decorate their homes with colorful lanterns or take them along when returning to their hometowns for family reunions," she added.
Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, is set to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on March 31. The holy month and the subsequent Eid celebration are deeply tied to the homecoming tradition, locally known as mudik, during which millions of Indonesians travel to reunite with their families.
Rahma has been overjoyed in recent weeks, as her modest fashion and accessories business has brought her a small fortune.
"Selling accessories is a great way to boost income. They make perfect gifts and are often impulse purchases," she said, noting that she serves at least 100 customers daily, many of whom are millennials.
She also sells Ramadan lanterns on e-commerce platforms like Tokopedia and Shopee, with over 800 items sold online even before Ramadan began.
Meanwhile, Tommy Ayudha, a store owner in Ujung Menteng, East Jakarta, who sells toys and household items, told Xinhua that Chinese products stand out for their affordability and variety, catering to diverse customer needs.
"Battery-operated lanterns and decorative LED strips are among the most popular Chinese products during Ramadan," he said.
Aisyah Aqilah, a 29-year-old housewife in Ujung Menteng, shared that she bought a colorful mosque-shaped lantern to decorate her living room.
"I also bought dolls for my nieces. These charming dolls add to the festive Ramadan atmosphere and inspire the children to dream big," she said, noting that all the items were made in China.
Beyond Ramadan lanterns and toys, the Indonesian market is filled with Chinese-made products, including electric vehicles, mobile phones, home appliances, and household essentials.
For over a decade, China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner and a significant source of foreign investment. The two countries will commemorate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in April.
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