VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is rich in tropical fruits. One of them is called ‘Jamblang or Juwet fruit’. It is a type of fruit rich in benefits. Jamblang has antioxidants that protect the body's cells from free radical damage. The antioxidant compounds in Jamblang are obtained from the purple of the fruit. In the hands of a student of the Biology Study Program of the Bio-nutrition and Food Innovation Specialty Program, University of Surabaya, Linus Nara Pradhana, this Jambang fruit is transformed into an effervescent tablet. It tastes fresher because there is a mixture of soda; the original sour taste of Jamblang is gone.

Linus Nara Pradana said that the taste of Jamblang is very distinctive. So, not everyone can eat the fruit directly because it tastes so sour. Linus took about 3 to 4 months to produce this extraordinary work. The process started from research, the production process to organoleptic tests to 40 people regarding the color, taste, smell, and sensation of soda in this fruit which is often called ‘Javanese plum’.

The manufacture of effervescent takes three days. Ripe Jamblang is washed thoroughly by running water. Next, it is cut and soaked in 70 percent alcohol, then allowed to stand for two days at room temperature.

Jamblang extract is then processed with a spray dryer to convert the liquid extract into powder. Afterwards, the powder is mixed with baking soda, citric acid, and other ingredients to make an effervescent.

Coordinator of the Bio-nutrition and Food Innovation Specialty Program, Faculty of Biology, University of Surabaya, Johan Sukweenadhi said that the exploration of local food ingredients, such as Jamblang, Ciplukan, Dragon fruit, Eggplant, and other food ingredients, is expected to trigger research and other innovations that can increase the value of local plant benefits and improve the economy of farmers who cultivate these crops.

Located in Petang sub-district, Badung Regency, Carangsari Tourism Village is the birthplace of one of the national heroes, I Gusti Ngurah Rai. He passed away when fighting against the Dutch colonists in the Puputan Margarana War on November 20, 1946. As the birthplace of I Gustri Ngurah Rai, there is also the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Monument in this tourism village. The tourism village is located 36 Kilometers from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali.

As a tourism village, Carangsari Tourism Village has 14 attractions for tourists, particularly millennial people who love natural tourism. The various tourism spots consist of artificial, cultural and natural tourisms. The artificial tourisms in the Carangsari Tourism Village are Bali Elephant Camp, Alam Tirta Carangsari Rafting, Ayung River Rafting and Triana Resort Bali. Then, at the cultural tourism, there are I Gusti Ngurah Rai Monument, Carangsari Mascot Dance, Puri Agung Carangsari, Puseh Kangin Carangsari Temple, Kampung Nyama Toko and Tugek Mask Dance. The Tugek Carangsari mask dance was created and popularized by Maestro I Gusti Ngurah Widya who is now 75 years old. He has worked in many countries since the 1970s.

While at the natural tourism, there are Beji Samuan Park, Carangsari Village Cycling, Carangsaru Village Trekking and Lekaja Bali Swing. Apart from various tourism attractions, Carangsari Tourism Village also has tourism products consisting of educational and culinary tours. Moreover, educational tourism consists of the Pod Chocolate Tour, Tu Gex Hous Activity, Bokor Carangsari, We Love Carangsri Bali T-shirts and most recently RV University. Meanwhile, on the culinary side, there are Pod Chocolate, Honey Trigona Carangsari, Jajulikinian Carangsari and Bubuh Carangsari. Of course, you can also buy those as your souvenirs.

Batik and objects of Indonesian art and cultures are displayed at the Riga Bourse Art Museum, a well-known art museum in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The statement was said by Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Latvia, Kamapradipta Isnomo, while visiting Riga-Bourse, Tuesday (5/10). The Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm in its  written statement noted that various patterns of batik, weaving from Palembang and West Nusa Tenggara, masks, leather puppets,  Garuda bird statue, and  statues from Papua decorate one of the Asian rooms at the museum. Besides, Raden Saleh's painting also adorns one of corners of the exhibition hall of paintings by famous European painters.

Director of the Riga Bourse Museum, Daiga Upeniece  at  a meeting with Ambassador Kamapradipta expressed his commitment to increase the collection of Indonesian art and cultural objects  from many provinces. Moreover, he is committed to continuing the collaboration by bringing  Indonesian cultural missions to Latvia and further encouraging cultural memorandum of understanding of both countries. Indonesia and Latvia have established diplomatic relations since 1993. One of the three Baltic countries is a member state of the European Union in the Eastern Europe region. Latvia with a population of 2 million people is Indonesia's largest trading partner and source of tourists from the Baltic region. Bali and Yogyakarta are really well known in Latvia and are a dream destination for Latvians to visit for holidays.

East Java Industry and Trade Agency introduced some local products to South Korea, to encourage market expansion into the global market. Head of East Java Industry and Trade Agency, Drajat Irawan through a press release in Surabaya on Monday (4/10) said that the introduction was carried out in a Business Matching Online. It aims to accelerate international trade transactions and increase the foreign exchange to balance East Java’s trade balance.

He also explained that the commodities being introduced include food and beverages, coffee, aromatherapy, essential oil, and fishery products. According to Drajat, South Korea is a potential trade partner for East Java.

The trade value between East Java and South Korea had a US$53.81 million surplus, with US$446.64 million of export value and US$392.81 million of import value from January until August 2021.

Furthermore, the trade to South Korea was also supported by the Indonesia-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) that was signed on December 18 2020. With this agreement, Indonesian products can be marketed to South Korea with zero percent tariff. This opportunity must be used for East Java’s products to enter the South Korean Market.

Drajat added that one of the sectors hit worst by Covid-19 pandemic is small-medium industries or businesses. He affirmed that the local product introduction was an effort by the East Java’s Government to support export-oriented micro-small-medium enterprises in penetrating and exploring the South Korean market.

Drajat Irawan hopes that this activity will make a continuous trade transaction agreement, especially for small and medium industries or businesses that aim to expand their market and to enter the South Korean market.