SEAToday.com, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo officially opened the 51st International Coconut Conference and Exhibition (COCOTECH) held in Surabaya, Monday (22/7). In his remarks, President Jokowi emphasized the great potential of Indonesia's green economy, especially in the coconut industry.

“Going forward, the green economy is an opportunity, a huge potential for our country Indonesia, whether it is related to chocolate, mangroves, vanilla, coffee, pepper, cloves and others. We have a land area of 3.8 million for coconut with a production of 2.8 million tons per year, which is very large,” the President said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi also highlighted Indonesia's coconut exports which reached 1.55 billion US dollars or around 16.2 trillion rupiah, making Indonesia the second largest country in the world in terms of coconut exports. However, the President feels that profits can still be increased if Indonesia carries out downstreaming in order to increase the added value of coconut products to support industry and create jobs.

“I have seen that coconut waste can now also be used as bioavtur, bioenergy. I think it is important in the future to continue to be developed,” the President added.

In addition, President Jokowi also highlighted the quality of seeds, maintenance, and harvesting methods as key factors in efforts to increase coconut production.

Finally, the President invited the international coconut community to unite in advancing a sustainable coconut industry. The President said this conference is very important for Indonesia to introduce the great potential of national coconut.

“I invite the entire international coconut community to work together to advance a sustainable coconut industry that supports the world's green economy,” the President said.

The 51st COCOTECH conference which took the theme “Utilizing the Potential of Coconut as a Tree of Life and Green Energy” is expected to expand the network and seek new opportunities for the development of the coconut industry in Indonesia, as well as introduce the great potential of Indonesian coconut globally.

Accompanying the President at the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Pj. Governor of East Java Adhy Karyono, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, and Executive Director of the International Coconut Community (ICC) Jelfina Alouw.