“All discussions were based on the implementation of the biosecurity concept,” said Barantin Head Sahat Manaor Panggabean at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
According to Panggabean, both countries agreed to collaborate on research harmonization, human resource development, and expanding market access.
During his meeting with Australia’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Julie Collins, Panggabean highlighted Indonesia’s pre-border quarantine approach and the benefits of transitioning to electronic document processing.
“Both countries will benefit from the pre-border concept. Documents will be electronic, which simplifies logistics costs and enhances traceability,” he said.
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Panggabean acknowledged Australia as a strategic trade partner, particularly in food commodities. He noted Indonesia’s interest in Australian wheat, while Australia is eager to import Indonesian fruit, such as mangosteen and pineapple.
“We’ve signed an agreement covering two commodities: Australian wheat will enter Indonesia, and Indonesia will export mangosteen to Australia. We’re also discussing pineapple exports,” he added.
To support this partnership, both agencies are ensuring that wheat imports from Australia are free of disease, especially given the vulnerability of tropical climates like Indonesia’s.
Furthermore, the two parties are also strengthening cooperation on human resources and laboratory quality improvement to ensure the proper implementation of biosecurity concepts.
“Both countries are committed to high-level biosecurity. Australia supports Indonesia through technology and research, not only to ensure our systems are sound but also to better understand each other’s systems,” Minister Collins said.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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