Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world, is literally just at our country’s doorstep but when you ask a typical Filipino what he or she knows about our neighbouring country, it may seem that our knowledge and understanding of our neighbour to the south is basic.
It is quite a paradox that although we are geographically close, we don’t know too much about Indonesian culture, business and cuisine, is is why the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City is organising the 1st Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo 2017 (IMPE) at the Indonesian Convention Center (House of Indonesia) located at Calamansi St. at Juna Subd, Davao City, slated on 22 -24 July 2017.
To promote this, Indonesian Consul General Berlian Napitupulu invited Davao’s business and lifestyle writers to an afternoon briefing at his residence at the Indonesian Consulate where he also shared the upcoming programs of the consulate to foster trade and cultural understanding between Davao and Indonesia.
“There is a lot of trade between Indonesia and the Philippines.” said Berlian “I went around Davao and saw that there are at least 64 Indonesian products in the market, but majority of these products are imported through Manila.” Noting the new direct shipping route connecting Davao and Bitung, Berlian wants to encourage Filipino as well as Indonesian businesses to network and utilise the route.
The 1st IMPE will showcase Indonesia’s export quality manufactured products to be marketed in the Philippines, such as automotive spare parts, building materials (tiles), tractor, cosmetics, herbal supplements, pulp and paper, automotive and stationary battery, and many others.
Along with IMPE activities, the Consulate will also organise a One-on-One Business Matching, Music and Cultural performances, and Tourism Promotion as well as an Indonesia Food Corner for the entire duration of the expo.
Aside from promoting trade, the afternoon also featured an Indonesian cooking demonstration prepared by Consul General Napitupulu’s presonal chefs. Aside from invited media, chef from the Marco Polo Davao were also in attendance. Already the second part of the series of cooking classes, the chefs from Marco Polo headed by executive chef Alex Destriza brought platters of Beef Rendang and Kue Kacamata (dishes they learned during the first cooking class) for the consul general and his chefs to taste and evaluate for authenticity.
The cooking lessons offer a fascinating introduction in to the exotic ingredients and unique culinary heritage of Indonesian as well as provide a valuable insight into the various techniques, traditional and modern, of food preparation and the cooking style used in homes across the Indonesian Archipelago. Dishes that were taught this afternoon was the famous Gado-gado, a mixed salad with a savoury peanut and tamarind sauce, and Sop Buntut or Oxtail Soup.
I found the making of the Gado-gado sauce fascinating as it combined savoury, sweet, salt and a hint of spice. When mixed together with various blanched vegetables, all depending on personal preference, create a wonderfully balanced dish that is iconic of Indonesia and its thousands of islands.
Don’t you think it is time for us to meet our neighbour?
For those who want to check out the 1st Indonesan Manufactured Products Expo, you can visit the Indonesian Convention Center (House of Indonesia) on July 22 to 24. For inquiries on business matching, you may contact the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia at 082.299.2930 to 34 and loo for Wahyu Permana or Rodel Libabone. You can also email them at ecodept.kjri@gmail.com.
