President Jokowi Promotes Coffee Diplomacy to Strengthen Indonesia-NZ Bilateral Ties

President Joko Widodo during a luncheon with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at the Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, on Monday (19/3) (Photo by: BPMI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promotes coffee diplomacy during his state visit to New Zealand recently.

“Don’t forget, if you want to drink coffee, drink Indonesia’s coffee,” the President said in his remarks during  a luncheon with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at the Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, Monday (19/3).

President Jokowi pointed out that as a former businessman, his business instinct arose upon hearing that New Zealanders love to drink coffee. “I immediately thought that Indonesia should export more coffee to New Zealand,” the President added to the applause of the people attending the luncheon.

The President went on to say that Indonesia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers with various selections of coffee including Balinese Coffee, Sumatran Coffee, Java Coffee, Toraja Coffee and Luwak Coffee.  “Each coffee has varying and distinct flavor. I heard that Sumatran Coffee and West Java Coffee are quite popular here,” the President added.

President Jokowi also hopes coffee diplomacy can be a new tool to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.  “Coffee diplomacy will be a new tool to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand, which have been established for the last 60 years,” the President concluded.

Accompanying President Jokowi at the event were First Lady Ibu Iriana, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Tantowi Yahya, and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.  (BPMI/EN) (RAS/MUR/EP/Naster)