Indonesia boosts global market access for culinary products through Netherlands event
Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya said Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage not only reflects the nation’s cultural identity but also holds strong potential as a driver of economic growth.
He said the ministry remains committed to promoting Indonesian culinary products and brands to strengthen their competitiveness in the global market.
One of these promotional efforts is the Indonesia Summer Cooking Experience, held at Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, according to a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
“Through the S’RASA program, this collaboration serves as a platform to introduce the authentic flavors of the Indonesian archipelago while expanding international recognition of Indonesian culinary products and brands,” Harsya said.
He added that the ministry facilitates promotional activities, participation in international exhibitions, and business matching programs to connect creative economy businesses with prospective buyers and business partners in various countries.
The S’RASA program is an evolution of the Indonesia Spice Up the World (ISUTW) gastrodiplomacy initiative, launched in August 2025.
The program brings together six ministries and government institutions to strengthen the global promotion of Indonesian cuisine. Within the initiative, the Ministry of Creative Economy focuses on promotional activities, participation in international trade exhibitions, business matching, and expanding international industry networks for supported brands.
The Netherlands was selected as the venue for the Indonesia Summer Cooking Experience because of its strategic role as a European logistics hub and its openness to international culinary trends.
The event showcased a range of Indonesian products, including soy sauce, palm sugar, and coffee, to prospective trade partners as part of efforts to expand distribution networks across Europe.
Lakeside BV Founder Oswin Beingsick said the event could serve as a gateway to increasing imports of Indonesian food products and culinary ingredients into the European market, where interest in the unique flavors of Indonesian cuisine continues to grow.
The Indonesia Summer Cooking Experience was designed as a business engagement platform combining live cooking demonstrations, presentations of authentic Indonesian dishes, product exhibitions, and business-to-business meetings.
The event attracted culinary entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, importers of Indonesian food products, distributors of cooking spices, and representatives of local retail outlets, including Warung Barokah in Amsterdam and Toko Kalimantan in Zaandam.
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Translator: Fitra Ashari, Cindy Frishanti Octavia