World renowned chef William Wongso showcased the best in Indonesian cuisine at a trade gathering in Sandton this week, ahead of Indonesia’s participation in Africa’s Big 7, a trade event to be staged as part of Africa Trade Week, which takes place from 23rd – 25th June at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

71-year-old William Wongso, who specialises in Asian and European cuisine, is the author of the Gourmand World Cookbook Award-winning book Flavors of Indonesia: William Wongso’s Culinary Wonders.  Noting that Indonesia has an ‘incredible diversity’ of cultures, flavours and regional dishes, Chef Wongso said “It would not be easy for me to say ‘just this’ is Indonesian food”. However, he said Indonesian dishes typically included a range of fresh spices, something he believed could bring fresh new flavours to South Africa’s traditional braais.

Also speaking at the event, the new Director of the Indonesia Trade Promotion Center in Johannesburg, Anggun Paramita Mahdi, and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Reza Valdo Maspaitella, highlighted growing trade ties and trade potential between Africa and Indonesia, saying South Africa could serve as Indonesia’s gateway to Africa, while Indonesia was positioned to serve as Africa’s gateway to the south east Asian region.

With a population of over 250 million and growing, Indonesia has a large potential import market and is stepping up its exports. It shipped US$180.2 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2018 – 6.8% up from 2017 – with its top exports including mineral fuels and oil; animal/vegetable fats, oils and waxes; electrical machinery and equipment; vehicles and rubber and rubber products. Food exports are showing an increase, passing the USD $8 billion mark in 2016.

As Indonesia steadily grows its international exports across wide range of goods and services, the country is set to highlight some of its top food exports and leading food manufacturers at a pavilion at Africa’s Big 7, the only food and beverage trade show in Africa to bring together thousands of stakeholders, suppliers and buyers under one roof to boost pan-African trade.

Products to be showcased at the Indonesia pavilion at Africa’s Big 7 this year include cocoa bean processing specialists and producers of high quality cocoa powder, cocoa butter and other cocoa products; producers of noodles, dairy products, seasonings, snacks and beverages; manufacturers of wafers, crackers, biscuits, chocolate, candies, tea and jelly drinks; producers of instant food, beverages and cereals; producers of over 100 varieties of coffee products for distributors, restaurants, cafés, hotels, specialty coffee shops and retailers; producers of cheese and processed cheese products; bakers of cakes and bread; makers of coconut based consumer products including coconut milk, coconut water, coconut cream powder and desiccated coconut;  manufacturers of peanut products and other high-quality processed snacks; manufacturers of a broad range of food products including authentic Indonesian spice mixes, sauces, noodles, pickles and condiments.

Lynn Chamier, event director at dmg events, says that – Africa’s Big 7 , The Hotel Show and SAITEX, which is hosted under the banner of Africa trade Week attracts more than 11 000 international industry professionals from 53 countries, as well as more than 500 exhibitors from more than 40 countries.

This year, dmg has introduced a premium “matchmaking” service to assist exhibitors to meet their target market and will set up and facilitate personalised meetings between interested parties. Associated conferences and workshops, will create the new home of trade highlighting pan-African business opportunities, products, services, equipment, supplies, innovations, technology and solutions.  

There will also be a variety of features that visitors can expect to experience including: The Global Pizza Challenge, Kitchen of the Future, Africa Housekeepers League of Champions, Wine Village, IID Design Pavilion (African Institute of Interior Design) and the DTI/Brand SA pavilion.

To book a stand or to register as a visitor, go to the websites: https://www.saitexafrica.com/; https://thehotelshowafrica.com/ ; https://africabig7.com/