TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- President Joko Widodo has promised to support and provide business easing to the food and beverage industry, given the sector's relatively large contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

The President made the statement while receiving the board members of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi) at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, Tuesday, October 13.

On the occasion, Jokowi pledges to continue to deregulate rules that will help boost the competitiveness of Indonesian industries, particularly the F&B industry, "especially as we are about to enter the ASEAN Economic Community era."

Gapmmi chairman Adhi S. Lukman said that the F&B industry's contribution to the GDP is relatively large at about 32 percent of non-oil industries' total contribution.

"The president is expecting the food and beverage industry to keep growing," he said.

In return, Gapmmi expects the government's support, especially in providing raw materials, most of which have to be imported, such as sugar, salt, and beef.

Gapmmi also requested for business and legal certainty, as there are some regulations that need perfecting, such as the halal product assurance and the law on water resources.

The association also hopes for the process of other technical regulations, such as licensing, could be simplified and shortened, so that industry actors can practice their businesses with more convenience.

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