Government Targets 4,000 Indonesian Culinary Businesses To Be Established In All Parts Of The World By 2024

Illustration of culinary business. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The government continues to strengthen Indonesian culinary showcases abroad. By 2024, it is targeted that there will be 4,000 Indonesian culinary businesses established in all parts of the world, and culinary exports could reach 2 billion USD.

Expert from the Presidential Staff Office, Helson Siagian, said that the government through the Ministry

Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) has prepared a funding, training and assistance scheme for Indonesian culinary entrepreneurs abroad, namely through the Indonesian Restaurant Fundraising (IndoStar) program.

"This program provides opportunities for culinary entrepreneurs to further advance their business and to find potential investors. "In this way, Indonesia's culinary business abroad is becoming more massive," said Helson, after taking part in the Indonesian Restaurant Fundraising (IndoStar) Pitching Day 2023 event which was held online, Sunday 5 November.

For your information, Indonesian Restaurant Fundraising (IndoStar) is part of the Indonesia Spice Up The Word (ISUTW) program, which is a government program to promote Indonesian culinary delights, and promote local Indonesian brands of spice and seasoning products.

There are four pillars in the ISUTW Program. First, export spices, seasonings and processed foods. Second, activation of Indonesian restaurants abroad. Third, promoting Indonesian culinary abroad. Fourth, Indonesia as a gastronomic destination.

"This program is in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction, that the superiority of Indonesian spices must continue to be introduced to all corners of the world," explained Helson.

Furthermore, Helson said that the IndoStar program which is part of ISUTW received a positive response from Indonesian culinary entrepreneurs abroad. Currently, he said, there are 50 IndoStar participants spread across five continents. (Asia: 14 participants, Europe: 12 participants, America: 11 participants, Australia: 10 participants, and Africa: 3 participants).

This Tourism Expert from the Presidential Staff Office assesses that the opportunities for business actors to strengthen Indonesian culinary showcases abroad are still very large. Moreover, currently the target market is no longer Indonesians, but local people who are suited to Indonesian tastes.

"Of the eight restaurants pitching today, the average target market is not Indonesians, but local people. "This proves that Indonesian culinary is ready to go global," said Helson.