REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia continue to export agricultural products. This time, exports were carried out on coconut processed agricultural commodities worth US$20 million in Bintan, Riau Islands, Saturday (26/9).
“Today we witnessed the handover of certificates as well as the first export of Coconut Flour to India and also the export of Coconut Milk to Germany for the umpteenth time,” said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto in an official statement received by Republika.co.id, Saturday.
The activity, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, is expected to encourage business people in the Riau Islands province. Especially to be able to increase exports, expand markets abroad, and help the national economic recovery.
Airlangga said that the exported commodities were Indonesian products and increase the coconut added value. “This is an extraordinary export and it is hoped that it can be replicated in various regions because we are the Country of Coconut Seduction, so it is natural for Indonesia to export coconut,” he said.
The potential for coconut exports is getting higher in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic considering that virgin coconut oil has health benefits. Airlangga explained, coconut oil can help increase immunity, namely from VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil).
He also appreciated PT Bionesia Organic Foods (Exporter of Processed Coconut Products to Germany) and other exporters who were still able to encourage exports in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We certainly appreciate PT Bionesia Organic Foods, which is targeted to export from the initial 10 million to 20 million US dollars with an investment of 25 million US dollars, and of course this employs a lot of workers,” said Airlangga.
Commodity exports are also expected to accelerate the economic recovery of the Riau Islands. As is known, the pandemic caused the regional economy to contract 6.66 percent in the second quarter of 2020, lower than the national economic growth.
From a sectoral perspective, the most affected sector is the tourism support service sector, such as transportation, accommodation, and the provision of food and drink.
Airlangga said that the government is optimistic that it can get through this pandemic well. Especially with the capital of economic resilience that is better than many other countries in the world and improvements in various key indicators.
Moreover, Airlangga continued, the capital was driven by the steps and strategies taken. Including policies to strengthen the Trade Balance, which experienced a surplus in August 2020 of 2.3 billion US dollars and from January to August 2020 a surplus of 11.05 billion US dollars.
This article has been published on republika.co.id under the title “Indonesia Ekspor Olahan Kelapa Senilai 20 Juta Dolar AS” https://www.republika.co.id/berita/qhan3q370/indonesia-ekspor-olahan-kelapa-senilai-20-juta-dolar-as
Reporter: Adinda Pryanka
