Indonesia can be Qatar's reliable partner in agriculture: Envoy

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Joelyn Baluyut | The Peninsula

Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan said Indonesia can be Qatar's reliable partner in agriculture. 

He disclosed it on the sidelines of the 9th International Agricultural exhibition (AgriteQ) and 3rd International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ) which concluded yesterday.

Speaking to The Peninsula, the Ambassador said that Indonesia is an agricultural country with vast natural and agricultural resources.“Indonesia and Qatar can complement each other in the agriculture and environmental cooperation considering the two countries share the view of the importance of food security.”

According to database company Statistica, Indonesia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of agricultural products. Among them are palm oil, natural rubber, cocoa, rice and spices. 

The Indonesian Embassy joined the said exhibits wherein it featured agricultural products. It brought together five companies and two business associations on spices and moringa, and the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

Among included were Haltraco Sarana Mulia (ready meal from tuna and mushroom), Ince Jaya Mandiri (various spices), Mitra Tani Farm (ready-meal from beef and lamb), Global Sekar Mandiri (tea), Koperasi Warga Indonesia di Qatar / KWIQ (food and beverages), Sustainable Spices Initiative (SSI) Indonesia (Business Association on Spices), and Beyond Moringa Indonesia (Business Association on Moringa).

Indonesian Ambassador Ridwan Hassan

He explained that the Indonesian pavilion offered quality products and commodities that are“rich at such as spices and herbs, tea and coffee, many kinds of end products from moringa and processed food from agricultural or fisheries items.”

The embassy likewise conducted a discussion on strengthening partnership for spices between Qatar and Indonesia wherein Sidi Rada Menggala from SSI-Indonesia led the talk.

On why spices, he explained that Indonesia is a country rich in abundant natural resources, one of which is spices.“Currently, spice commodities are still one of the leading export commodities to European and American countries. Types of Indonesian spices that are well known to the world include pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, turmeric, and ginger,” Sidi Rada Menggala explained.

In 2019, Qatar imported $18.9m worth of spices, becoming the 35th largest importer of spices in the world. At the same year, spices were the 258th most imported product in Qatar and primarily from India, China, Iran, Pakistan, and the Netherlands, he explained.

According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, in 2016, Indonesia occupies the fourth largest position in the world as a spice-producing country with a total production of 113,649 tonnes and total exports reaching $652.3m. 

“Indonesia has great opportunity to become a world spice supplier that can make a major contribution to Indonesia's economic growth and as a fulfillment of essential needs in the world,” Menggala said.

He explained that agriculture experts from Indonesia may have the opportunity to enrich the production and post-production of agriculture-spices practices that lead to increased import of Indonesian spices to Qatar. 

This is also one way for both countries in contributing to improve bilateral ties. 

“Indonesia can co-hand with Qatar the needed expertise to improve its spices and other agricultural products industry. 

“Qatar can partner with Indonesia to improve its agriculture sector, which could serve as an essential avenue for foreign exchange earnings and help the country improve the economy in general. Through the collaboration, with the output as earlier that can boost the country's food production and create employment,” he concluded.

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