"Indonesia Spice Up the World" Business Forum

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an outstandingly successful business forum within the framework of the "Indonesia Spice Up the world' program. The BCCI coordinated a number of business meetings between Bulgarian and Indonesian companies, which were organised by the BCCI and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Sofia and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia.

Speaking at the launch event, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tsvetan Simeonov, emphasized that it was an occasion to revive the active bilateral trade and business relations from the period before the pandemic. "What is specific about the products presented by Indonesian producers today is that they are exotic and well received on the European market as there is no similar local production," Simeonov pointed out. Spices, tea and coffee have lower transport costs, which additionally benefit the end consumer.

The President of  the Chamber of Commerce and Industry shared his hopes that  "In view of the positive demographic changes in Indonesia, which envisage population growth, Bulgaria, in addition to being a hub for the sale of Indonesian products on the European market, will also become an attractive tourist destination,". Simeonov offered the Chamber’s full cooperation and support for the realization of these possibilities.

His Excellency Iwan Bogananta, Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, accredited to the Republic of Albania, and the Republic of North Macedonia, welcomed the participants in the forum and shared that the trade mission of Indonesian culinary products in Sofia this week came as a result of the visit of the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy to Bulgaria in June 2023. He expressed his opinion that Indonesia was expanding its exports to Bulgaria and the 2022 reports showed 164% growth. Bulgarian goods’ export to Indonesia is also growing, but not at the same rate. The Indonesia Spices up the World Program is a multi-stakeholder collaborative program to promote Indonesian culinary arts.

Many Bulgarian companies from various sectors were introduced to the Indonesian products /coconut products, coconut palm sugar, coffee, varieties of tea, moringa tea and products with moringa/. Business people from both countries had the opportunity to carry out business meetings and talks.

The event was concluded with a demonstration of a traditional Indonesian dance from the island of Java.

The program of the Indonesian trade mission in Bulgaria, set up by the BCCI, will continue with meetings in grocery store chains in Sofia and a visit to the Interfood & Drink exhibition at the Inter Expo Center.

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