Trade Minister Zulhas: RI Will Open Hypermarket In Saudi Arabia

Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan conveyed that synergies between ministries/agencies and business actors are needed to realize and encourage the marketing of products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) more broadly. One of the synergies that is being prepared is to present Indonesian hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia to help market Indonesian MSME products. This was conveyed by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan when giving a speech at the inauguration of the Jakarta Halal Hub MSMEs and the Release of Exports for the Prime Products of the Development of the Halal Hub MSMEs to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, October 1, at the MSME Halal Hub, Rebo Warehouse Market, East Jakarta. The event was held by Goorita and the Global Halal Hub. Present at the event were Special Staff to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Lukmanul Hakim, CEO of Goorita as well as Head of the Global Halal Hub Yuwono Wicaksono, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Trade Suhanto and Director General of National Export Development Didi Sumedi. Present virtually and the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Eko Hartono and the Head of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Jeddah Muhammad Rivai Abbas. "One of the efforts we are making to help marketing MSMEs is to present hypermarkets in a number of cities in Saudi Arabia, namely Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina. With the existence of Indonesian hypermarkets, Indonesian MSME products will find it easier to enter the Saudi Arabian market," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan. In addition, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan conveyed and prepared a small team to initiate negotiations on the trade agreement between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. "Trade agreements can provide certainty, as well as become a 'toll road' for business actors, including MSMEs to penetrate the export market," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan. On that occasion, the Minister of Trade was also committed to fully supporting the Halal Hub MSMEs initiated by Goorita. It is not easy for MSMEs to export because it is a big and heavy job. A number of things that must be considered to penetrate the export market are skinnas, quantity, capital, sustainability, and skills. "For this reason, we appreciate Goorita's efforts by hoping that the Halal Hub MSMEs can be a catalyst for Indonesian MSMEs so that they can play a more role in the international market and in particular can also realize Indonesia as the World Halal Product Center," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan. Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan also gave encouragement to MSME actors to continue to be enthusiastic and never give up. "We are here to provide support to MSME actors, make the impossible possible (posible) possible). MSME actors also must continue to be enthusiastic, tireless, and never give up," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan. Sementara itu Lukman menyampaikan Indonesia sudah melakukan ekspor halal khususnya di sektor UMKM halal. Hal ini sejalan dengan arahan Wakil Presiden Maruf Amin yang menargetkan Indonesia sebagai pusat perdagangan produk halal dunia pada 2024. Saudi Arabia is one of the strategic partners for Indonesia. Especially for processed food products, Saudi Arabia occupies the 8th position as the destination for the export of Indonesian processed food products. The trend of Indonesia's exports to Saudi Arabia in the 2017-2021 period increased by 4.61 percent. The main products exported by Indonesia to Saudi Arabia include tuna, instant noodles, sambal sauce, soy sauce, and biscuits and wafers.