Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment is ready to promote local products during the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia from November 10 to December 2, 2023.

"We will encourage domestic products to be used and promoted during the U-17 World Cup," Deputy of Tourism and Creative Economy at the Ministry Odo R. M. Manuhutu stated here on Saturday.

One of the strategies involves using and promoting domestic shirt products, souvenirs, and other local products, primarily produced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"We have to introduce domestic products and service, then use domestic products and make a habit of purchasing domestic products," he affirmed.

The ministry is ready to coordinate with all related stakeholders in supporting the U-17 World Cup.

To boost the development of MSMEs, the ministry cooperates with all parties wherein the government distributes trillions of rupiah to MSMEs.

"As instructed by the president, some 95 percent of spending from the central and regional products should be done for domestic products," Manuhutu emphasized.

The FIFA Council had earlier appointed Indonesia as host of the U-17 World Cup, and thus far, the international football organization is still planning to hold the event from November 10 to December 2, 2023.

The responsibility to be the host of the 2021 U-17 World Cup was entrusted on Peru at the FIFA Council meeting held in China on October 24, 2019. However, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peru then had the right to become the tournament's host in 2023 though failed once again due to infrastructure problem.

Indonesia itself was the host of the U-20 World Cup that should have been held in May.

However, various rejections from several elements in Indonesia concerning the arrival of the Israeli national team caused FIFA to cancel Indonesia's status as host of the event in mid-April.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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