Working Visit To Japan, Minister Teten Sees Opportunities For Cooperation In The Processing Of Fishery Products

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki during a working visit to Japan. (Photo: Doc. Kemenkop UKM)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (MenKopUKM) Teten Masduki met with a number of the largest fisheries companies in Japan, including Marusen Susisan and Nagasaka Unagi Farm, during their working visit to Japan.

On that occasion, he saw opportunities for cooperation that could be worked on between Indonesia and Japan in the field of fishery processing.

"We can explore the possibility of technology collaboration to improve the quality and diversity of seafood processed products, such as sauce for seafood and fish salt. This partnership can generate mutual benefits, utilizing each other's expertise to create innovative and market-friendly products," said Minister Teten in a written statement, Tuesday, August 1.

Teten said, capture fisheries production in Indonesia, especially marine fisheries, grew 2.23 percent and land public waters 2.71 percent in 2020. In addition, bilateral trade for Indonesian fishery products is quite encouraging, with an estimated export value of 6.24 billion US dollars and volume of 1.22 million tons in 2022.

According to him, Japan is one of the main destination countries for Indonesian fishery exports, with a total export of 1,431.5 tons.

Of course, cooperation with Japan in the fisheries sector aims to expand the trade information network for both countries.

Teten realizes the importance of sharing market insights and trade data to increase Indonesia's understanding of consumer preferences and demand patterns that lead to more strategic trade decisions and growth potential in the fisheries sector.

In addition, he is also exploring the potential for cooperation with Nagasaka Unagi Farm in cydat cultivation in Indonesia.

Sidat is a commodity that promises exports and Indonesia has great potential to increase production with the help of advanced technology from Japan.

"Japan, as one of the main export destination countries in the fisheries and market sectors that are significant for fishery products, especially cydats, is one of the countries with very good opportunities for us to invite this related cooperation," he said.

According to Teten, this visit to Nagasaka Unagi Farm provides a major lesson, especially in terms of extraordinary progress made by Japan in cydat cultivation through the use of advanced technology.

He sees great potential to cooperate with Nagasaka Unagi Farm in encouraging the development of cydat cultivation in Indonesia.

"By adopting the advancement of similar technology and building a livestock incubator business, we can increase cydat production and meet foreign market demand effectively," he said.

This collaboration is expected to revolutionize the acultural sector in Indonesia, contribute to economic growth as a whole, and open up job opportunities for the community.

"This cooperation also strengthens trade relations between the two countries and utilizes the huge potential of Indonesia's fishery resources," he said.

Not only that, Minister Teten also found opportunities for cooperation in the halal food sector.

His visit to Sariraya, the pioneer of the Indonesian halal food business in Japan, provided insight into the importance of halal certification for Indonesia's Micro, Small Enterprises (UMK) to gain competitive advantage in the international market.

Indonesia has the fourth largest Islamic economic potential in the world and halal products with certification can increase world confidence in Indonesian exports.

Through cooperation with Sariraya, Teten hopes to facilitate exports of halal food and beverage products to Japan and other international markets.

"By utilizing the expertise of both parties, we can strengthen the position of Indonesian halal products in the global market," he explained.

Through this collaboration, it is hoped that it can pave new ways for growth and prosperity between the two countries.

"Let us work hand in hand to create a brighter future for the two nations," he added.