We have a target that this dialog can provide benefits for Indonesia in the form of cooperation for technology transfer and food quality improvement while also inviting Taiwanese companies to invest, especially in sectors that are making downstreaminJakarta (ANTARA) - The Industry Ministry's Directorate General of Agro-Industry is seeking broader cooperation between stakeholders in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, including with industries originating from Taiwan.
"Cooperation between the two countries needs to be encouraged to meet the global demand for food products," the ministry's Acting Director General of Agro-Industry Putu Juli Ardika noted in his statement during the Third Indonesia-Taiwan Dialogue on the Food Industry here on Saturday.
The Third Indonesia-Taiwan Dialogue was held jointly with the Indonesian Trade and Economic Office (KDEI) in Taipei and was attended by F&B industry's stakeholders.
The meeting promoted industrial collaboration with various parties from the country, such as the Indonesian Food and Beverage Producers Association (GAPMMI), researchers from the Institute of Agriculture Bogor (IPB), Agro-Industry Center (BBIA), and the Center of Chemistry and Packaging (BBKK).
"We hope this forum would increase benefits, trade, and investment to the food and beverage industries of both countries as part of the global supply chain," Ardika remarked.
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In future, Ardika expressed optimism that the forum would create and enhance cooperation in using pertinent technology, especially for small- and medium-sized industries.
Secretary of the Directorate General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry, Mohammad Ari Kurnia Taufik, who co-chaired the dialog, also called on all parties to make the most of this forum.
"We have a target that this dialog can provide benefits for Indonesia in the form of cooperation for technology transfer and food quality improvement while also inviting Taiwanese companies to invest, especially in sectors that are making downstreaming breakthroughs," Taufik explained.
At the forum, several agendas were discussed, including opportunities for cooperation in the field of downstreaming porang plants, the development of forage feed concentrates, plant-based foods that have texture similar to meat, and the analysis of food contact materials, microplastic, and pesticide on essential oils.
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On the same occasion, the Taiwanese Bureau of Foreign Trade Ministry of Economic Affairs and FIRDI research institute welcomed the cooperation. One of the offers made was support for industry 4.0 technology.
"Taiwan will follow up on Indonesia's proposals discussed during the dialogue. Furthermore, there are several cooperation proposals from Indonesia that need to be comprehensive to make it easier to link and match with companies from Taiwan," Taufik expounded.
He explained that the government was striving to optimize the potential of porang plants.
"We strive, so that the local glucomannan flour can match the quality of imported products. Thus, it can be used by the domestic industries and become part of the global supply chain," he emphasized.
Taufik said Indonesia had proposed a dialogue on the feed industry that can contribute to a sustainable F&B industry.
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Translator: Sella G, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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