The program's launch also coincided with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the six ministries: the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Tourism.
Minister of Trade Budi Santoso stated that the program marks a new chapter after the Indonesia Spice Up the World (ISUTW) Program ended in 2024.
According to him, the program served as a showcase for Indonesian culinary products and a gateway for increased exports of processed foods, spices, and MSME products.
"This is not just about food, but also about taste, cultural heritage, and so on. And of course, this will have an impact everywhere, including increasing our exports, boosting tourism and the creative economy," Santoso said at a press conference for the S'RASA Program at Sarinah, Jakarta, on Thursday.
In the initial step of the program, a curation of restaurants in five major cities in the world will be carried out, including New York, London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Sydney.
On the same occasion, State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir stated that the synergy between ministries demonstrates the government's commitment to innovation in promoting culture and tourism.
"This is proof that we in the Red and White Cabinet are always in touch and striving to create innovations, in the form of working together to promote Indonesian culture and tourism," he said.
He said the collaboration between the six ministries could significantly increase the culinary sector's contribution to the national economy.
According to him, besides increasing exports, the presence of Indonesian restaurants abroad could attract foreign tourists to visit the country.
"So, God willing, I think this is a good program. We are promoting our nation, and God willing, we will all reap its blessings," he stated.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Martha Herlinawati
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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