Indonesian Embassy Ottawa, Trade Ministry and LPEI Bridge Indonesian SMEs to Canada
OTTAWA – The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa has partnered with the Indonesian Export Financing Institution (LPEI) and the National Export Development Directorate (PEN) of the Trade Ministry to facilitate virtual contract signings between Exotique Foods and several Indonesian SMEs in Jakarta on 11 March. Exotique Foods is an importer of Indonesian products in Canada managed by the Indonesian diaspora.
The signings resulted in five purchase orders and one memorandum of understanding with a total transaction value of approximately USD 92,000 (approximately Rp 1.5 billion) for the shipment of various processed food products from Indonesia to the Canadian market through Exotique Foods’ distribution network.
Several SMEs were involved in the signings: PT Azaki International (ready-to-eat tempeh), PT Wins Organic (coconut sugar and palm sugar), PT Indo Tropikal (ginger sweets), CV Dua Sholeha (fried shallots), CV Menara Desa (fruit crisps), and PT Ladang Sehat (gluten-free pasta).
Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab expressed appreciation to LPEI for its commitment to strengthening the national export ecosystem. “The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa consistently encourages strategic collaboration among stakeholders in Indonesia and Canada to increase exports of Indonesian products, including various processed foods, to the Canadian market. Therefore, I view LPEI’s commitment and concrete contribution to strengthening the national export ecosystem as important, particularly through financing support and facilitation for Indonesian businesses to reach global markets,” said Ambassador Muhsin.
In line with the Ambassador’s view, LPEI Executive Director of Business II Sulaeman affirmed that LPEI’s export financing support is a government mandate to drive national export strengthening and assist SMEs in developing their businesses. “LPEI continuously endeavours to provide various financing and export guarantee facilities so that Indonesian businesses, including SMEs, can increase business capacity and develop their enterprises,” he said.
The Director of Primary Product Export Development at the Trade Ministry’s National Export Development Directorate, Miftah Farid, noted that Canada’s multicultural market characteristics offer significant potential for Indonesian products, particularly food and beverage items.
In line with these market opportunities, the performance of Indonesian processed food and beverage exports to Canada has also shown a positive trend. During the 2023–2025 period, the value of processed food and beverage exports (HS 16–22) increased from approximately USD 56.4 million (approximately Rp 952 billion) in 2023 to USD 116.7 million (approximately Rp 1.97 trillion) in 2025, representing growth of approximately 106.8 per cent.
“The demand from the Canadian market for Indonesian products has significant potential to be continuously developed, ranging from food and beverage products to various value-added manufactured goods. However, there are several market requirements that must be met, including product liability insurance, standards compliance, and the strengthening of logistics aspects. Therefore, the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa is collaborating with LPEI to facilitate more Indonesian SME products reaching the Canadian market,” said Commercial Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, Mahdewi Silky.
Going forward, the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, together with the Trade Ministry and LPEI, will continue to promote market access expansion whilst strengthening Indonesia’s product presence in the Canadian market, in line with the spirit of “Local Products Go Global”.