Indonesian Food Popular among North Koreans

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Embassy to North Korea in Pyongyang promoted Indonesian products, including food, beverages, spices and cosmetics at the 18^th Spring International Trade Fair. Irman Nasoetion, the secretary of political and economy at the Indonesian Embassy to North Korea, said the fair was held on May 11 to 14, 2015 attended by 300 participants promoting various products.

Irman revealed that the products have been and will be marketed in North Korea aiming at introducing Indonesian products to the North Korean market. The Indonesian embassy also served food and beverages that have entered the North Korean market, including instant noodles, instant seasonings for fried rice, ginseng cereal, instant coffee, coffee and tamarind candies.

Indonesian Ambassador to North Korea Bambang Hiendrasto said the products were popular in Pyongyang, but North Koreans were mostly unaware that those products were made in Indonesia.

Data from the Indonesian Trade Ministry revealed that the value of Indonesian exports to North Korea in the period of 2010-2014 declined by 39.64 percent. In the same period, the value of Indonesian imports from North Korea also dropped by 33.36 percent.

The 18^th Spring International Trade Fair was opened by North Korean deputy prime minister Ro Tu-chol, external economic affairs minister Ri Ryong-nam, and ambassadors to North Korea in Pyongyang.

ANTARA