The Light Beverage Industry Increases Competitiveness in Global Markets

INDUSTRY.co.id - Medan- The Ministry of Industry through the Directorate General of Agro Industry gives appreciation to Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia which has completed its new factory in Medan, North Sumatra.

The plant, which stands on five hectares of land, has a production capacity of up to 150 million bottles per year to be distributed throughout the region on the island of Sumatra, including Aceh, Riau Islands, Riau Province, West Sumatra and Jambi.

This proves that the national food and beverage industry is strengthening its competitiveness in filling supply chains for domestic and export markets.

"We appreciate this company as a pioneer in the soft drink industry in Indonesia which has contributed to the national economy," said Director General of Agro Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Panggah Susanto during a working visit at Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, Medan, Sumatera North, Wednesday (08/30/2017).

Panggah asserted, food and beverage industry is a very strategic sector and still has a bright business prospect in the country, as shown through its growth performance in the first half of 2017 which reached 7.69 percent.

"Meanwhile, the contribution of the food and beverage industry to the national GDP of 6.06 percent," he explained.

The role of the food and beverage industry subsector contributes to non-oil and gas industry GDP, the largest compared to other subsectors, reaching 33.63 percent in the first half of 2017.

In addition, the realization of investment in the food and beverage industry in the same period amounted to Rp21.6 trillion for domestic and US $ 1.18 billion for FDI.

With such a glorious performance, Panggah said, it actively encourages domestic food and beverage industry actors to strive to improve quality, productivity and efficiency throughout the production process.

In line with that step, it is also necessary to increase the competence of human resources as well as research and development activities.

"We expect Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia to contribute to the development of competency-based SMK programs that link and match with the industry," Panggah said.

Previously, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto asserted, it increasingly incentive to increase the productivity and competitiveness of national industries in order to continue to produce products that have comparative advantage.

Besides being supported by abundant natural resources, the potential can be achieved because there is also a pro-business policy from the government.

In the midst of intense global competition, some Indonesian products are competitive and contribute significantly to world trade. Surely this can bring a positive impact for the growth of national economy and the welfare of society.

"In fact, the competitiveness of the national food and beverage industry is in the top four of the world," he concluded.