REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conducted coffee diplomacy during a state visit to New Zealand that also marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and New Zealand. "Do not forget, if you drink coffee, drink Indonesian coffee," the president noted at a state luncheon hosted by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at the Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, on Monday.
This form of promotion was lauded by the audience that was ready to enjoy lunch at the Norie State Dining Room.
As a former businessman, Jokowi explained that his entrepreneurial instincts immediately surfaced upon hearing that New Zealanders are fond of drinking coffee.
"I immediately thought that Indonesia should be able to export more coffee to New Zealand," the president remarked in a statement from Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Secretariat President Bey Machmudin received by Antara in Jakarta.
In 2016, Indonesia had retained its position as the world's fourth-largest coffee producer after Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia.
According to data of the Trade Ministry, Indonesia has produced an average of 691 thousand tons of coffee per year, while Brazil produced 2,905 thousand tons; Vietnam, 1,650 thousand tons; and Colombia, 840 thousand tons.
The country is currently aiming to become the second-largest coffee producer by increasing production to one million tons a year.
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Several coffee varieties grow across the region of Indonesia, including Puntang and Malabar beans in West Java, Kintamani beans in Bali, Mandailing and Gayo beans in Sumatra, Java arabica and robusta beans in Central and East Java, and Toraja beans in South Sulawesi as well as the famous Luwak coffee beans.
"Every coffee bean has a different taste and uniqueness. I heard the coffee beans of Sumatra and West Java are quite popular here," Jokowi stated.
The coffee diplomacy conducted by President Jokowi is expected to intensify bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand.
"Coffee diplomacy will be the new bonding force in our bilateral relations that have existed for 60 years," he added.
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