JAKARTA: A number of Indonesian entrepreneurs made their first foray into the Saudi market this week at the Amazing Indonesia Trade Expo in Jeddah.
The event, which ran from Sept. 26 to 28, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah to promote goods and services from the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.
For Inna Dwi Kurniati, owner of Jakarta-based modest fashion brand Inabee Mukena, it was the first time she has exhibited her products outside of her homeland.
“I’m very happy I can participate at this exhibition in Jeddah,” Kurniati told Arab News on Saturday. “I hope I can continue to participate at international exhibitions so I can introduce Indonesian products to the world.”
The Saudi market offered “good potential” for the business, which she started in 2019, she said.
“We just have to develop it further to fit the Saudi market demand, to offer prayer sets and abayas with designs and cultural considerations that will be acceptable here.”
Sabardi, owner of Aceh-based Ulunowih, which specializes in coffee made from beans from the Gayo highlands, told Arab News: ”As a small business from Aceh, being able to get this chance in Jeddah is a source of pride and an extraordinary achievement. This is an opportunity to introduce local products, such as Gayo coffee, to the international market.”
Gayo beans are a flagship commodity for Aceh, which is Indonesia’s top producer of Arabica coffee.
“This is an experience that adds to my belief that Aceh’s local products have great potential in the international market, especially in the Middle East,” Sabardi said. “This also motivates us to increase our product quality even further to make it more competitive globally.”
The Indonesian entrepreneurs also had the chance to do their own market survey while in Jeddah, visiting other stores and businesses across the city that they could potentially collaborate with.
“I think every small business has their own market, and it’s such a coincidence that Sweet Sundae (matches well with) Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries,” said Yuki Rahmayanti, referring to her ice cream and dairy brand.
“This is a splendid blessing, being able to offer our products directly in Jeddah,” she concluded.
