Indonesia seeks stronger partnership with Saudi for Hajj supply chain

2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is pushing to strengthen strategic partnerships between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to build a sustainable supply chain for the Hajj and Umrah economy.

This commitment was demonstrated through the Indonesia–Saudi Arabia Partnership Forum 2026 Business Matching, themed “Building Strategic Partnership for a Sustainable Pilgrim Supply Chain,” held in Jakarta on Monday.

“This forum is not just about bringing business actors together, but serving as a starting point to build a solid ecosystem,” the ministry’s Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development, Jaenal Effendi, said.

A well-established ecosystem, he added, is expected to allow Indonesian manufacturers, exporters, and micro, small, and medium enterprises to enter the Saudi Arabian market in a structured and sustainable way.

According to Jaenal, Indonesia has huge potential to supply various needs for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. However, this potential must be backed by more structured connectivity, coordination, and partnerships to sustainably penetrate the Saudi Arabian market.

He pointed out that there is still a widespread perception that Hajj catering needs are limited to seasonings and ready-to-eat meals.

In reality, Hajj catering requires a wide range of food commodities, including rice, fish, meat, vegetables, flour, cooking oil, fresh spices, dairy products, and various other food ingredients.

These needs provide opportunities for Indonesian agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and processed food industries to become part of the global Hajj and Umrah supply chain.

To bolster this ecosystem, the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development is calling for the creation of an export consortium coordinated by competent exporters.

This scheme is expected to guarantee quality and supply continuity in line with Saudi Arabian standards, provide market certainty for producers and MSMEs, and boost the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the global market.

In addition, the ministry is pushing to harmonize halal and food safety standards, build integrated logistics centers, develop human resources, transfer technology, and establish the Indonesian Hajj Food Corridor as part of efforts to strengthen the Hajj economic ecosystem.

“We want to build an inclusive Hajj economic ecosystem so that the benefits can directly impact farmers, livestock breeders, fishers, MSMEs, and national industry players,” he remarked.

Through the forum, the ministry hopes to forge stronger business partnerships between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, boosting bilateral economic ties while building a resilient, competitive, and sustainable Hajj and Umrah supply chain.