International Coconut Community

A virtual courtesy meeting was held on 17th June in between H.E. Yasoja Gunasekera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN and the International Coconut Community (ICC) Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia. The main agenda for the meeting was to to discuss the potential partnership and investment between major coconut industry of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The embassy team was led by Her Excellency Ambassador and Mr. Arvy Harahap, Public Diplomacy Officer, Embassy of Sri Lanka. The ICC Secretariat team led by Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director and joined by Ms. Mridula Kottekate Assistant Director, Mr. Alit Pirmansah Market & Statistics Officer, Mr. Klaudio D. Hosang, Administrative & Finance Officer, and Mr. Otniel Sintoro Publication Officer, of ICC. In her welcome address, Dr. Jelfina expressed her appreciation towards the initiative of the embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta for inviting the ICC for the discussion about the coconut sector and CBL Group's plan to invest in coconut industries in Indonesia. This investment potentially contributes to the positive economic growth, job creation, employment, and exchange of technologies to the local people of Indonesia. Executive Director then proceeded with a presentation explaining the activities of ICC and related information. Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw made a detailed presentation of the ICC’s vision and mission, activities, global coconut production, coconut export trend and value, country status 2020, programs and projects. She also mentioned various ICC publications and social media accessible to member countries as the implementation of information and technology dissemination. ICC & COGENT build strategic networks and collaborations with several international organizations, such as ACIAR, UN-ESCAP, NAM-CSSTC, CIRAD, ITPGRFA-FAO, ITC, Pacific Community, CCA, BI-CIAT Alliances, some universities, SPC, CABI, and several coconut research Institutes. Her Excellency Ambassador introduced the CBL group “Ceylon Biscuits Limited” of Sri Lanka as one of the largest conglomerates in Sri Lanka with a presence in more than 60 countries. Started in 1968, CBL Group has grown to be a multi-national corporation with 11 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Responding to the Ambassador’s request related to the intention of CBL Group to enter the Indonesian market through coconut industry, Executive Director presented the Indonesian coconut production and processing unit in different parts of Indonesia and the challenges, seven major coconut producing provinces, also major international hub ports. There were in-depth and productive discussions on the potential collaboration and strategic implementation between both the countries. The Marketing and Statistics Officer, ICC will facilitate a meeting between different stakeholders from both countries. The meeting concluded with thanks to the Ambassador and her team.