VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Agriculture strengthens cooperation with Saudi Arabia to increase trade, specifically agricultural commodities, including rice exports. Upon receiving the arrival of the Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi in Jakarta last Thursday (12/12), Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo guaranteed that Indonesian agricultural commodities could be exported to Saudi Arabia, especially for Muslim residents in the country, because all rice products of Indonesia have been halal-certified.

On the same occasion, Expert Staff of the Minister of Agriculture in International Trade and Relations, Banun Harpini explained that at this time, Saudi Arabia is still importing its rice needs from Thailand, India and the United States. He also said that frozen chicken products would be offered for export, remembering that the source of imported chicken from Saudi Arabia comes from Brazil and contains salmonella. So, the frozen chicken has to be stopped for a while. Therefore, Indonesia will replace the frozen chicken market for Saudi Arabia. Banun added that other potential commodities for Saudi Arabia are Cavendish bananas and pineapples which have been exported to various countries so far.

To accelerate exports, the Indonesian government is given the opportunity to introduce Indonesian agricultural products through an exhibition to be held by the Saudi Embassy in Jakarta in January 2020. Furthermore, in February, the Ministry of Agriculture will officially visit Saudi Arabia as a follow-up to the trade cooperation in agricultural products.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Ambassador Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi stated that his side has held a discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture regarding Indonesian agricultural products that could be exported. He also said that he would immediately implement a memorandum of understanding between the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and Saudi Arabia in the near future. One of the memoranda of understanding is directly related to agriculture, such as conducting training for farmers and the plan to export agricultural products, including agricultural machinery needed by Saudi Arabian market.