Strengthen Food Security, Government Invites Turkish Entrepreneurs To Invest In Indonesia

Basic necessities (Photo: between)

JAKARTA - Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dida Gardera, said that the agricultural sector has contributed significantly to national economic growth even though the world, including Indonesia, is facing several food security threats. This was revealed in the IDMA Exhibition package in Istanbul Turkey.

"Hopefully the best practices featured in the IDMA Exhibition 2024 activity can be used as a reference to be implemented in Indonesia. The Indonesian government also welcomes and encourages further collaboration in strengthening food security," he said in a press statement, Monday, May 13.

The event brought together international companies that supply machinery and milling technology with the processed grain (rice, corn, wheat, sorghum) user industry, nuts, and feed, with various events including machine and technology exhibitions, business meetings (B2B), discussions, and certified training for the milling industry by TABADER.

In addition, the IDMA exhibition, which has a target for export transactions of up to 500 million dollars, brought together participants from various countries, such as England, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, China, Italy, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, Egypt, and India, with various companies including Gocmen Makina, Koc Degirmen, TMI Spain, Special Mills, Pizeta, Ocrim, Mulmix SPA, Yukselis Makina Turkey, Chopin Technologies, Chief Industries USA, Dickey - John, Frigortec, Goudsmit, Axor Ocrim, and Cetec Industri.

Dida conveyed the importance of collaboration with various parties in realizing food security amid global challenges such as extreme climate change, increasing geopolitical tension in the Middle East as well as between Russia and Ukraine, volatility in commodity prices, and tightening the monetary of developed countries.

According to Dida, Turkey's location, which is close to many countries, also makes the opportunity to market Indonesian products to other countries even greater.

"The number of Indonesian tourists to Turkey always increases every year so that the need for Indonesian food and agricultural products in Turkey also continues to grow. This position increases Indonesia's opportunity to cooperate with Turkey as an export hub," said Dida.

In addition, Dida invited several companies providing storage technology, milling and processing of grains (rice, corn, wheat and sorghum), Chamber of Commerce and Industry/ badminton Ticaret Odasmen (ITO), as well as food sector companies, to establish and increase trade cooperation, especially in the food sector with Indonesia such as Adcoturk and Cargill.

Furthermore, Dida invited around 150 thousand Turkish businessmen under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry/Obviouslystanbul Ticaret Odashon (ITO), to increase investment in Indonesia.

Therefore, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, especially the Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination, is committed to facilitating the resolution of obstacles faced while investing in Indonesia.

Dida conveyed that Indonesia-Turkey relations were also strengthened by the common religions of the majority and culture, so Turkish businessmen were enthusiastic about investing in Indonesia.

However, according to Dida, the biggest obstacle faced with investing in Indonesia is the distance between the two countries, but he believes that logistical and distributional support can be facilitated by trade agreements between the two parties.

"Hopefully Turkish entrepreneurs can invest in Indonesia, especially in the food sector, such as dairy companies ranging from feeder cows to final products such as candy, cheese, and yogurt. On the other hand, Turkish hazelnuts can start and introduce their products in Indonesia," concluded Dida.