Taipei, July 11th, 2023 - The potential for culinary businesses can become a showcase for Indonesia abroad. It is hoped that around 700 culinary businesses (224 have been registered on the "Rasa Indonesia" site) spread throughout Taiwan can further increase the existence and preferences of customers not only from the Indonesian diaspora, but also Taiwanese society in general and other foreigners. The culinary business also plays an important role in driving other economic sectors (trade and investment) in Indonesia. Following up on these matters, the IETO Taipei Investment Sector, in collaboration with Taipei, July 11th, 2023 - Waterfront Co., Ltd. held a Forum "Focused Group Discussion (FGD): Unlocking the Potentials of Indonesian Culinary and Related Investments". This forum will be held on July 7 2023 and is located at the Waterfront Bali Restaurant, New Taipei. Waterfront is one of the Indonesian fine dining restaurants in Taiwan with Balinese-style interior touches and accessories which can be used as a success model for other Indonesian-Taiwanese culinary entrepreneurs.

Opened by the Head of Investment, Mr. Ali Fauzi who emphasized the potential for food diplomacy from Indonesian culinary businesses in Taiwan, followed by a Keynote Speech from the Deputy Head of IETO Taipei, Mr. Zulmartinof, this activity received enormous support and appreciation and could be the start of joint efforts, in the next working group. Several speakers, Mr. Uniform Lin (CEO of CrossBond) and Ms. Hsu Chia Shin (New Taipei City EDB's Consultant, Founder of Chia Shin Accounting Firm) conveyed aspects of business establishment and access to labor (especially from Indonesia) where regulations in Taiwan are still quite strict, but it is necessary to look at several aspects of the classification and qualifications of certain businesses . The success story and journey of Mr. A-Cheng (General Manager of Waterfront Co., Ltd.) manages the Waterfront Restaurant business and Ms. Teresa Liu (Nanyang / Southeast Asia Cuisine Food Writer, Founder of Tropical Rose Co., Ltd.) managing a business supplying typical Indonesian spices is very inspiring and a further source of reference in efforts to improve the quality and existence of Indonesian culinary delights in Taiwan. At this event there were several business actors represented by the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) and the Young Indonesian Professional Association (YIPA Taiwan).

The fact that Indonesian food for some Taiwanese people is still considered for blue collars is a challenge for the future to promote several Indonesian culinary champions, especially those who provide fine dining with service standards that meet certain qualifications.

In the final session of the event, the Head of Tourism at IETO Taipei, Mr. Ichwan Joesoef, explained the "Rasa Indonesia" platform/site, which is an effort to consolidate data on Indonesian culinary businesses throughout the world. Even though it is currently only a data collection platform, it is hoped that in the future "Taste of Indonesia" can also become a reference in improving the quality, preferences and existence of Indonesian culinary businesses throughout the world. Asked about efforts to create standards for Indonesian restaurants, especially in Taiwan, Mr. Ichwan said that IETO as a formal institution of the Indonesian Government would need to collaborate with more competent institutions. Efforts to select several Indonesian restaurants as champions can also be aligned with the promotion of some of Indonesia's most iconic foods, including Gado-gado, Soto Ayam, Nasi Goreng, Chicken Satay and Rendang which are known globally.