President Jokowi opens the 51st Cocotech at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in Surabaya city, East Java province, Monday (07/22). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo highlighted Indonesia’s huge potential in the green economy, especially the coconut industry at the 51st International Cocotech Conference and Exhibition.
The event is a biannual international coconut conference and exhibition held to promote the global coconut sector, exchange ideas, best practices, policy recommendations, and to make collaborative efforts to support food and energy security.
“Moving forward, the green economy will serve as opportunities and will become a huge potential for our country, be it related to chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, coffee, pepper, clove, or others. Most importantly, coconut has a huge potential. We have a land area of 3.8 million [hectares] for coconut with a production of 2.8 million tons annually. This is massive,” he said at the opening of the event at the Westin Hotel Ballroom in East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
The President underscored that Indonesia’s coconut exports reached USD1.55 billion, adding that North Sulawesi and Riau are the two provinces with the highest coconut production in the country.
“The figure is great and it can be increased if we are serious in dealing with matters related to coconut,” he said, while pointing out that seedling quality, maintenance, and harvest methods are key factors for boosting coconut production.
The President also stressed the importance of downstreaming to enhance the added value of coconut products to support the industry and create jobs.
“Research is essential in this case. Technology for downstreaming must be utilized for that matter. I noticed that coconut waste has been used for bioenergy. It is important to continue to be developed in the future,” he said.
President Jokowi also urged the international coconut community to unite in advancing a sustainable coconut industry, adding that the conference is essential for Indonesia and Indonesia is also concerned with introducing its national coconut potential.
“I invite all of the international coconut community to synergize to develop a sustainable coconut industry that supports the global green economy,” he said.
The 51st Cocotech Conference, adopting the theme “Harnessing Coconut’s Potential as the Tree of Life and Green Energy,” is expected to expand networks, create new opportunities for Indonesia’s coconut industry development, and introduce its coconut potential to the global stage.
After inaugurating the event, the President and his entourage will return to Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo regency to continue his working visit to Papua province where he will attend the peak event of the 2024 National Children’s Day tomorrow (07/23) at Istora Papua Bangkit sports hub. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (DH/EP)
