Akar Jawi Herbal Drink, an MSME Assisted by Semen Gresik that Successfully Goes Global at the 2022 Tong Tong Fair in the Netherlands
Rembang, September 14, 2022 – Rumah BUMN (RB) Rembang of PT Semen Gresik (PTSG) sent superior products of assisted MSMEs to the Tong Tong Fair in the Hague, the Netherlands, on September 1 - 11, 2022. At the oldest festival held in the Land of Windmills, hundreds of instant herbal drink products (Akar Jawi), authentic products of Pamotan people, were sold.
Senior Manager of Communication & CSR of PTSG, Dharma Sunyata, stated that the Tong Tong Fair had become a suitable means for expanding MSMEs' marketing reach by attracting international buyers.
"Akar Jawi becomes one of the five representatives of RB Rembang delegated to the Tong Tong Fair 2022. The other products were Keriyes (snacks), Fallin (batik fashion), Okvisa Craft (eco-print fashion & craft), and Batik Gunung Kendil (ready-to-wear batik)," explained Sunyata in the press release, Wednesday (14/9).
He continued that the representatives were selected through a strict curation and based on their presentations at the Ministry of SOEs. They were selected from tens of thousands of MSME products throughout Indonesia. The numerous representatives from Rembang Regency show that unique products that prioritize local wisdom could compete in the global market.
"The visitors bought up hundreds of Akar Jawi products offered. The most popular variants are jahe merah (red ginger) and jahe sereh (lemongrass ginger) because of their light, fresh flavor and familiar taste to the visitors," said Sunyata.
Sunyata emphasized that PTSG will continue its commitment to empowering and educating the assisted MSMEs so they can go global.
In addition, the owner of Akar Jawi herbal drink, Ummi Salamah, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the visitors for loving Akar Jawi products. It also proves that local MSMEs products from Rembang Regency are capable of going global.
"Akar Jawi products are made from natural and fresh ingredients acquired directly from the farmers, which is why these beverages are refreshing. The ingredients are processed through a crystallization that can produce healthy and refreshing herbal beverages without any dregs, preservatives, or additives," explained Ummi.
Ummi added that her MSME, founded in 2014, offered six variants of Akar Jawi instant herbal drink to the exhibition, namely kunyit asem (tamarind and turmeric), jahe merah (red ginger), kunyit (turmeric), kunyit putih (white turmeric), temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and jahe sereh (lemongrass ginger).
