RI Consul General in Marseille Asianto Sinambela noted in a statement to Antara in Jakarta on Friday that he and Deputy for International Economic Cooperation Coordination Rizal Affandi Lukman accompanied the minister during meeting with Grasse Mayor Jêrome Viaud and other business circles.
Grasse's collaboration with Indonesia has run smoothly, particularly pertaining to essential oil commodities used by the perfume industry in Grasse.
Mayor Viaud welcomed Indonesia's aspirations to forge partnership with Grasse, as the capital of perfume producers in France, and traditionally imported essential oils from several nations, including Indonesia.
Nasution's visit aims to boost Indonesia's cooperation with Grasse, in this case, to promote direct relations between producers of patchouli oil, lemongrass fragrance, Indonesian camphor, and frankincense with business actors and industry in Grasse.
Manufacturers in Indonesia are seeking direct cooperation in exports to France and to obtain technology references that can be applied to meet the quality standards of the perfume industry in France. Opportunity remains open for investment in essential oil production processes in Indonesia.
Apart from essential oils, coffee commodities were the other main topic of discussion at the meeting. Viaud entertained the Indonesian delegation at the cocktail reception attended by officials from the Agglomeration Pays de Grasse Community, Alpes Maritime Deputy Council President, Prodarom association, Malongo coffee company, Fragonard company, SFA Romani, and Accords & Parfums.
President of the Prodarom association Phillip Massè remarked that most raw materials from Indonesia were obtained through third countries, and only a small segment was obtained directly. Although cooperation has long been established and deepened in the past decade, the Grasse perfume industry requires supporting data, both the quantity and quality of Indonesian essential oils.
Hence, the availability and requirements of raw materials can be mapped appropriately.
A representative from the Malongo coffee company expressed keenness over a memorandum of understanding for training, exchanges, and organic coffee selection. Malongo is looking to initiate cooperation with Indonesian coffee producers.
The coordinating minister for economic affairs stated that Indonesia is one of the best coffee producers in the world and since the 19th century has been known for the Mandailing and Lingtong coffee.
In the past three years, improvements in the development of technology have resulted in superior coffee seeds that have been the prima donna of the world. Moreover, Indonesia produces high-quality essential oils, such as Ctrinonela (fragrant lemongrass), incense, camphor, and patchouli oil.
The market opportunity is still wide open for exporting Indonesian superior products in the Grasse region, and huge demand exists for Indonesia's essential oils and coffee in the South French market.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
