Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia is seen as having significant potential to play a key role in the global Hajj and Umrah supply chain, particularly in sectors such as food, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and processed goods.
According to Prof. Dr. Jaenal Effendi, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development (PE2HU) at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, this potential must be supported by connectivity, coordination, and structured partnerships to ensure products competency and sustainability in entering the Saudi Arabian market.
“Hajj catering requirements go beyond ready-to-eat meals; they encompass a wide range of food commodities such as rice, meat, fish, vegetables, spices, and processed products,” he conveyed in a statement on Tuesday (August 4).
Speaking at the Indonesia–Saudi Arabia Partnership Forum 2026 Business Matching event, organized by the Amanah Hajj and Umrah Association of the Republic of Indonesia (ASHURI), Effendi noted that this offers opportunities for Indonesia’s agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food industries to integrate into the global Hajj and Umrah supply chain.
The forum, held under the theme “Building Strategic Partnerships for a Sustainable Pilgrim Supply Chain,” served as a strategic platform bringing together government officials, business players, exporters, importers, logistics companies, Hajj and Umrah service providers, investors, and various stakeholders from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
Effendi said the forum serves not only as a platform for business meetings but also as a foundation for building a strong ecosystem that enables Indonesian producers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and exporters to enter the Saudi Arabian market while fostering long-term partnerships that support the Hajj and Umrah economy.
Meanwhile, ASHURI Chairman Nur Faidzin said the forum represents an effort to support the government’s vision of strengthening the Hajj and Umrah economic ecosystem, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to the public and the business community.
He noted that Indonesia possesses great potential as a global producer of high-quality halal food. Various commodities, such as rice, cooking spices, cooking oil, processed foods, and beverages, as well as catering raw materials, hold significant potential to fulfill the consumption needs of millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually.
This initiative would not only boost national exports but also generate added value for farmers, MSMEs, the food industry, logistics companies, and the entire national supply chain, he continued.
The forum offers business players opportunities to present their products, engage in business discussions, explore potential partnerships, and also sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indonesian and Saudi Arabian companies.
At the same event, representatives from Saudi Arabian importers expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation with Indonesian producers by importing food raw materials and halal food products to meet the dietary needs of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, particularly those from Indonesia.
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Translator: Subagyo, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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