Banyuwangi, IO – The NSLIC/NSELRED Project is a partnership of the Governments of Canada and Indonesia staged an online International Business Matching Event as part of NSLIC’s Access to Market Program, Monday, (7/3). The aim of the event was to open international access for Indonesian micro and small business actors by having the Indonesian Coffee SMEs meet with buyers from Canada, Germany, and the Philippines in online breakout rooms. This cost-effective virtual approach focused on SMEs who may not have sufficient means to travel overseas themselves to sell their commodities and products globally especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Canada applauds the success of local coffee producers to go international today. Through intensive trainings, coaching, and facilitation to micro and small businesses from East Java, Yogyakarta, and Bali, we see the quality and quantity of their products improved to meet the international standard and demand. We also would like to thank our private sector partners for their strong collaboration in bringing their expertise in export facilitation and linkage to international markets to benefit these local producers. We hope partnerships initiated today can be long-lasting and beneficial to local people and businesses involved,” said Richard Le Bars, the Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia.
The Ijen 2022 International Business Matching involved 2,196 coffee farmers from 11 different business groups in East Java (Banyuwangi, Bondowoso and Situbondo), Bali and Yogyakarta, with a total land area of more than 9,000 hectares. The types of coffee promoted include Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica with different processing styles according to the characteristics of each business group.
The Business Matching event was held in one day at three different Western Indonesia times (WIB) with three different countries: the Philippines in the morning, Germany in the afternoon and with Canada in the evening Jakarta time. There were three talk shows broadcast simultaneously which discussed the export performance of Indonesian SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the challenges and opportunities of SME exports to Canada, Germany, and the Philippines.
The 2022 International Business Matching was supported by the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment; the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; PT. Sarinah (Persero) and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI). (hp)