In a statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday, the ministry’s Director General for National Export Development Fajarini Puntodewi said the agreement was signed by PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk’s Bango brand and InterAromat BV.
The signing took place during the Horecava 2026 trade exhibition in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s largest food service and hospitality fairs, held earlier this year, she said.
Puntodewi described the deal as a strategic step to strengthen the position of Indonesian gastronomic products in the European market and to boost soy sauce exports to the Netherlands.
“The signing of this letter of intent reflects the ministry’s commitment to promoting competitive local products that can win global consumers,” Puntodewi said.
She added that market research conducted by InterAromat found Indonesian soy sauce has distinctive characteristics and flavors not matched by similar products currently available in the Dutch market.
With a long production track record and proven quality, Indonesian soy sauce has strong potential to meet market demand in the Netherlands and become a preferred consumer choice, she said.
Puntodewi noted that the product is also expected to expand into other European markets as distribution networks and brand recognition grow.
She expressed hope that closer cooperation between the government and businesses would help Indonesian processed food products enter international markets in a sustainable way.
“Synergy between government and industry is key to expanding global market access,” Puntodewi said, adding that the soy sauce export could serve as a catalyst for other Indonesian food products.
The signing followed the activation of the S’RASA program in the Netherlands, which was launched in 2025 to promote Indonesian cuisine overseas.
S’RASA is a culinary promotion initiative led by the Trade Ministry in collaboration with five other ministries and state agencies, focusing on Indonesian restaurants abroad.
Responding to the program’s implementation, Indonesia’s chargé d’affaires ad interim in the Netherlands, Mariska Dwianti Dhanutirto, said it strengthens culinary diplomacy while supporting export growth.
“We encourage Indonesian restaurants overseas to serve not only as cultural showcases but also as entry points for expanding global exports of Indonesian spices and seasonings,” Mariska said.
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Translator: Maria CGP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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