Gov’t Committed to Maintaining Productivity of F&B Industry Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Minister of Industry leads a conference meeting with GAPMMI in Jakarta, Wednesday (1/4). Photo: (Ministry of Industry)

The Government is committed to maintaining the productivity of food and beverage (F&B) industry following the increasing demand for F&B products amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the work-from-home campaign.

“Milk industry has been reporting a spike in demands lately because people believe that milk can strengthen their immune system,” Ministry of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said in Jakarta, Wednesday (1/4).

“We continue to coordinate with Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade to maintain the availability of raw materials for the industry,” he added.

The Minister also said that his Ministry is ready to receive inputs from F&B industry players for the improvement of this strategic industry.

“I’ve had a video conference with a number of business players in food and beverage industry, including the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (GAPMMI),” he added.

The Minister expressed optimism that food and beverage industry will make a significant contribution to national economic growth this year.

“We also continue to prioritize the development of food and beverage industry for the MSMEs,” he said.

Food and beverage industry, the Minister added, is one of the strategic sectors that plays significant role in the national economy

Ministry of Industry reported that the food and beverage industry in 2019 grew by 7.78%, exceeding national economic growth at 5.02%. The industry has also given a significant contribution to the national exports amounting to US$27.28 billion with an investment value up to Rp54 trillion.

“Food and beverage industry also brings a broad multiplier effect, including to the local farmers and ranchers,” Agus said.

Food and beverage industry has also provided a significant number of jobs in the manufacturing sector with a total of 4.74 million people employed as of August last year.

Agus further said that the Government has also designated food and beverage industry as one of the leading sectors to boost Industrial Technology 4.0 which is in line with the Making Indonesia 4.0 road map.

“Therefore, the Government will continue to boost the growth of food and beverage industry to continue to innovate and to be more competitive, both at home and abroad,” Agus said. (PR of Ministry of Industry/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas