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Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Kabaparekraf Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a meeting with the diaspora at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Laos  -

Voinews, Jakarta - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) invites the Indonesian diaspora in Laos to actively participate in promoting Indonesia's tourism and creative economy (parekraf) potential in the international market through the culinary industry.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Kabaparekraf Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a meeting with the diaspora at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Laos, Wednesday (24/01/2024) said, in promoting the potential of tourism and creative tourism in Indonesia, especially the culinary industry, strong collaboration is needed from various parties. Including the Indonesian diaspora abroad.

"By strengthening synergy and collaboration, the tourism and creative sector will rise stronger and the target of the export value of creative economy products of 27.53 billion US dollars in 2024 can be achieved and provide economic benefits for the Indonesian people," said Sandiaga.

Through strong collaboration, the Indonesian tourism and creative sector was able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and was even able to develop itself to the point of receiving a lot of positive responses from the international community.

"Indonesia is still in third place on the map of creative economic industry power after the United States and South Korea, we must improve this because the added value is extraordinary and the quality of Indonesian culinary strength is well known abroad. This is an opportunity to prioritize Indonesian culinary tastes and "not only winning the hearts of the people of Laos but also of people throughout the world," said Sandiaga.

Sandiaga said the presence of Indonesian cuisine restaurants in the country would really help the economy in the diaspora. Because various foods from Indonesia are quite popular abroad and can be combined with the tastes of local residents.

"So Indonesian food and local food in Laos have almost the same taste, and will be liked by many people. So this is part of us pushing the Indonesia Spice of the World program so that we can use it to promote our tourism," he explained.

Indonesia Spice Up the World is the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy's flagship program launched by the President in 2022 in Dubai and aims to promote Indonesian culinary delights. Apart from also increasing the number of spice exports from Indonesia throughout the world with a target export value of 2 billion US dollars and 4,000 Indonesian restaurants abroad by 2024.

According to Sandiaga, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will continue to support the development of the Indonesia Spice Up the World program. Among them is Indostar, which is a derivative of Indonesia's Spice Up The World program which provides marketing, funding, training and development assistance to encourage access to financing and promote Indonesian herbs and spices abroad.

On the same occasion, the Indonesian Ambassador to Laos, Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, explained another fact discovered by his team in the field, namely that the Lao people really need daily consumption products. Consumption demand is greater than product production. But this also makes it difficult to bring Indonesian products to Laos.

"We are working with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Young Entrepreneur Association of Laos to promote Indonesian products to the Laotian market. This is an opportunity for Indonesia to introduce Indonesian products. The challenge now is how to open channels for this supply-demand. This requires collaboration and coordination "It would be more optimal with other ministries or institutions," said Grata.

At the end of the event, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy encouraged more young people and the Indonesian diaspora to be optimistic about developing the culinary business so that it could encourage the creation of jobs in the community.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga is optimistic that there will be more and more culinary entrepreneurs from among young people who can revive the Indonesian economy. "So I am very proud that we are trusted and Indonesia can become a champion not only at home but also abroad," said Sandiaga//VOI