At the end of the ASEAN Summit, the delegation was treated to typical NTT products and culinary delights
West Manggarai – The 2023 ASEAN Summit is expected to be a stage for local culinary delights to appear at the international level.
Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for NTT Province, Tri Arachis Hypogaeawan, revealed that the ASEAN Summit delegates were treated to a variety of products and dishes typical of NTT.
“At meetings at the ASEAN Summit, the culinary specialties of NTT are a treat. Menus such as se’i beef and coffee are the mainstays,” he said.
He also hopes that the ASEAN Summit delegates can come back and order the same menu, and it can also be marketed internationally.
Concerning food safety, the Center for Drug and Food Control (BPOM) guarantees that the food served to heads of state is safe for consumption. This was conveyed by the Head of the West Manggarai POM Workshop, Andirusmin Nuryadin.
“The POM location in West Manggarai Regency is involved in supervising and securing food that will be served to the president and vice president as well as state guests who will be attending,” said Andirusmin.
On a different occasion, the Regent of West Manggarai, Edistasius Endi, said that the ASEAN Summit had an impact on increasing local community businesses around the location of the Summit activities.
“So that the community, especially farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can take advantage of this moment,” said Regent Edistasius.
During the holding of the Summit, the public had the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate quality products made locally.
Meanwhile, around the activity location there is the Kampung Ujung Labuan Bajo Culinary Center, which also sells a variety of culinary delights from the tourism area.
The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Executing Body (BPOLBF), which acts as the local committee for the ASEAN Summit, has also prepared various local content to be presented to the delegates.
Main Director of BPOLBF Shana Fatina revealed, the Manggarai traditional arts that were prepared included the Tiba Meka Dance, Rangkuk Alu, and Caci.
“In addition, local MSME products are also empowered. Starting from woven fabrics, sasando, coffee, processed moringa, and others,” said Shana.
Shana believes that the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo will have an economic impact on MSMEs.
On the other hand, an expert in International Relations (HI) at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, stated that the 42nd ASEAN Summit or ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo shows that Indonesia’s economy is evenly distributed.
“The ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara shows that Indonesia is not only Jakarta and Bali,” said Randy.
