TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan on Saturday, July 13, 2024, released export consignments of areca nuts or pinang products from Jambi province to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

"(Here is) the export of areca nut commodities in Kumpeh, Muaro Jambi. This area is known as one of the largest areca nut production centers in Jambi. Hence, I want to ensure that this mainstay commodity can compete in the international market," he said.

He noted that Indonesia is the No. 1 areca nut exporter globally, accounting for 35 percent of the world's areca nut supply. Therefore, he said, Indonesia must maintain this position.

He stressed that the Trade Ministry is committed to supporting national exports, including areca nut products, by widening market access overseas, offering assistance for export, and assisting in promotion efforts.

Hasan asked exporters to take advantage of the ministry's assistance program.

He expressed the hope that the pinang export release can serve as a momentum to boost the expansion of export market access for Indonesian products, and become a driving force for the national and regional economies.

Hasan further said that the current decline in the price of areca nuts has been influenced by export destination countries now growing the same products.

"We have fought to increase the price. I even tried to meet the Indian trade minister. I visited India five times. India is the largest market, our prices depend on them, and the challenge is that they have the products domestically," he expounded.

However, he assured that the ministry will continue to carry out trade diplomacy.

The government is focusing on helping farmers develop Indonesia's flagship commodities, especially in Jambi.

"We must develop (commodities) that become the basis of our strength, for example chocolate, coffee, pepper, cloves, areca nuts, cinnamon," he said.

ANTARA

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