Appearing In Egypt, Indonesian Food And Beverage Products Achieved Transaction Potential Of IDR 241 Billion

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian food and beverage products (mamin) managed to reap a potential transaction of US$ 15.32 million or around Rp. 241 billion at the 7th Food Africa Exhibition on December 57, 2022 at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center (EIEC), Cairo, Egypt.

"Indonesia's participation in this event is the implementation of President Joko Widodo's directive for Indonesia to expand its share of exports to non-traditional markets," said Director General of National Export Development (PEN) of the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) Didi Sumedi in a statement quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 14.

In addition to food and agro-derivative products, continued Didi, the Ministry of Trade also continues to strive so that other local commodities can enter non-traditional markets. The exhibition was attended by 11 Indonesian business actors in the food and beverage sector and agro-derivative products.

Many Indonesian food and beverage products are being hunted by buyers from various countries, including Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Russia, Burundi, Palestine, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Turkey, and Italy.

The transaction value is projected to continue to increase as further negotiations are made by participants after the exhibition takes place.

"We really appreciate the hard work of Indonesian exporters who promote their products to buyers at the Food Africa 2022. Potential transactions achieved at the exhibition will not only encourage increased national exports to Egypt, but also other emerging markets in the Gulf, Middle East and African Regions," said Didi.

The 11 business actors who occupy the Indonesian Pavilion covering an area of 54 square meters are PT Mandala Prima Makmur, AK Goldenesia, PT Chita Agri Indonesia, PT Internasional Niaga Globalindo, Nusako, PT Sumber Kopi Prima, PT Mayora, PT Selaras Rasakoe Indonesia, PT Alam Scientificia Asia, PT Ikafood Putranmas, and PT Sasa Inti.

Meanwhile, the products on display are coffee beans, instant coffee, powder chocolate, palm oil, white butter, substitute cocoa oil, dauh kelor tea), dry coconut, spices, cooking spices, animal feed corn, and food waste processing tools.

Didi explained that Food Africa is one of the largest trade fairs in the Middle East and North Africa Regions.

"The success of the Indonesian Pavilion at the 2022 Food Africa is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo. I thank and appreciate the leadership and its staff in the local accreditation country for their cooperation and support," added Didi.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo Lutfi Rauf added that Egypt is one of the countries that is able to survive in the midst of the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic so that the trade sector and the economy can continue to move.

"The rapid population growth also affects the level of public spending, especially food needs with an allocation of 30 percent of income per family," said Lutfi.

In addition, Egypt is a hub or entry point for trade to other countries around it. So it is not surprising that the market for food and beverage products and agro processed commodities is very potential to be explored more optimally.