PapuaAround.com – The 7th Papua Coffee Festival (Feskop) 2024, held in Jayapura, has kicked off with high hopes for fostering the coffee industry and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region. Acting Governor of Papua, Ramses Limbong, expressed his optimism about the event’s potential to enhance the skills and competencies of those involved in the coffee industry and SMEs.
“Coffee is no longer a foreign concept to the public; it has become a part of our culture in Papua. This festival serves as an important platform to develop the human resources within our coffee industry and SMEs,” Ramses said during the Feskop 2024 event in Jayapura on Wednesday.
The Papua Coffee Festival, now in its seventh year, is a collaborative effort between Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Provincial Government of Papua. Ramses emphasized the significance of this partnership, which he believes will further attract public interest and, specifically, coffee enthusiasts.
“I hope that the Papua Coffee Festival 2024, along with the celebration of Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day, will draw significant attention from both the general public and coffee aficionados,” Ramses added.
The festival offers more than just the best products from Papua’s SMEs. Visitors are also treated to a variety of artistic performances by musicians from the region, adding to the festival’s appeal.
“Papua’s Arabica coffee is renowned across the archipelago for its unique and distinctive flavor,” Ramses highlighted.
He further expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the synergy between the stakeholders involved, acknowledging their efforts in supporting the development of the coffee industry from upstream to downstream.
Head of Bank Indonesia’s Papua Representative Office, Faturachman, shared details about the event’s scale and objectives. The festival, which runs from August 14 to 18 in South Jayapura District, involves 44 SMEs that have been nurtured by various banks.
“We aim for the Papua Coffee Festival to achieve a total revenue of IDR 3.9 billion, which includes IDR 1.5 billion from export business matching, IDR 900 million from total transaction value, and IDR 1.5 billion from post-event sales,” Faturachman stated.
The Papua Coffee Festival is more than just a showcase of the region’s coffee; it is a strategic initiative to enhance the local economy and promote the rich cultural heritage of Papua. The event also serves as a gateway for Papua’s coffee to reach international markets, further solidifying its place in the global coffee industry.
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In recent years, Papua’s coffee has gained international recognition, with some of its products featured at prestigious events like the World of Coffee Copenhagen in Denmark. This international exposure has opened doors for Papuan coffee entrepreneurs, with growing interest from foreign businesses.
The festival’s focus on business matching and export opportunities reflects the organizers’ commitment to expanding the market reach of Papuan coffee. The involvement of various stakeholders, including banks, the government, and the local community, underscores the collaborative effort required to achieve these ambitious goals.
Visitors to the festival can explore a wide array of coffee products, each offering a unique taste of Papua. From the rich, bold flavors of Arabica coffee to the creative blends crafted by local SMEs, the festival is a celebration of the region’s coffee culture and its potential for growth.
Moreover, the inclusion of artistic performances adds a cultural dimension to the festival, making it a holistic experience that celebrates both the coffee industry and the vibrant cultural heritage of Papua.
As the festival progresses, it is expected to attract more visitors, further boosting the local economy and providing valuable exposure for the participating SMEs. The anticipated success of the event will not only benefit the coffee industry but also contribute to the broader economic development of Papua.
The 7th Papua Coffee Festival is a testament to the region’s rich coffee culture and its potential to compete on the global stage. With the continued support of stakeholders and the enthusiasm of the local community, Papua’s coffee industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years.
Source: Antaranews.
