Jakarta - President Joko Widodo officially opened the 51st International Coconut Conference and Exhibition (Cocotech) 2024, held at the Westin Hotel Ballroom, Surabaya City, East Java Province, on Monday, 22 July 2024. In his remarks, President Jokowi emphasised the great potential of Indonesia's green economy, especially in the coconut industry.
‘Going forward, the green economy is an opportunity, a huge potential for our country Indonesia, whether it is related to chocolate, mangroves, vanilla, coffee, pepper, cloves and others. We have a land area of 3.8 million hectares (ha) for coconut with a production of 2.8 million tonnes per year, which is very large,’ the President said, as quoted from a written statement from BPMI Setpres, Monday (22/7/2024).
Furthermore, President Jokowi also highlighted Indonesia's coconut exports which reached USD1.55 billion based on existing data. According to the President, the two provinces that are the biggest coconut producers in Indonesia are North Sulawesi and Riau.
‘This is also a very large number and can be increased again if we are serious about coconut-related matters,’ the President said.
In an effort to increase coconut production, President Jokowi highlighted the quality of seeds, maintenance, and harvesting methods as key factors. In addition, the President also emphasised the importance of downstreaming in order to increase the added value of coconut products to support industry and create jobs.
‘Research is very important in this regard. Then utilising downstream technology in order to get there. I see a lot of coconut waste now becoming bioenergy, this is important, I think in the future this can continue to be developed,’ the President said.
Lastly, President Jokowi invited the international coconut community to unite in advancing a sustainable coconut industry. The President said this conference is very important for Indonesia, and Indonesia also has an interest in introducing the great potential of national coconut.
‘I invite the entire international coconut community to work together to promote a sustainable coconut industry that supports the world's green economy,’ the President said.
The 51st Cocotech Conference with the theme ‘Utilising the Potential of Coconut as a Tree of Life and Green Energy’ is expected to expand networking and find new opportunities for the development of the coconut industry in Indonesia, as well as introduce the great potential of Indonesian coconut globally.
Accompanying the President at the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Acting Governor of East Java Adhy Karyono, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, and Executive Director of the International Coconut Community (ICC) Jelfina Alouw.