Minister: Indonesian Cuisine Can Strengthen Diplomatic Ties
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – The culinary sub-sector in Indonesia holds significant potential to serve as a tool of diplomacy by showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage to the international community, according to Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy.
“In our globalized world, culinary arts can be an important form of international diplomacy. While the potential is vast, there are significant challenges, including the lack of a solid integration between the upstream and downstream sectors,” Harsya said in a statement on Saturday.
During a recent meeting with the Indonesian Culinary Council (ICC) on Thursday, May 8, the Minister emphasized that many countries have successfully utilized their culinary traditions as tools of soft power to promote their cultures worldwide. He highlighted South Korea as a prime example, noting that Korean cuisine has not only gained international popularity but has also influenced consumer preferences in Indonesia.
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Harsya expressed his full support for the Indonesian Culinary Council’s efforts to act as a cross-sector coordination platform, aimed at encouraging research, innovation, and the protection of Indonesian cuisine as both a cultural and economic asset.
“I fully support the Indonesian Culinary Council’s initiatives to drive innovation and standardization within the culinary industry. The council has a deep understanding of the sector’s current conditions and challenges,” he added.
The Minister called on the council to quickly develop concrete programs that can be pursued in collaboration with the Ministry of Creative Economy, including initiatives in the short, medium, and long terms.
In response, Gupta Sitorus, a founding member of the Indonesian Culinary Council, stressed the importance of addressing issues across the entire culinary ecosystem.
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“Our goal is to foster a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s potential and the challenges it faces. Minister Harsya’s strong commitment to collaboration motivates us to continue pushing forward,” Sitorus affirmed. (BL/ANTARA)