Indonesian Consul General in Dubai Denny Lesmana said the value of potential trade contracts rose 62.63 percent from the previous year’s achievement. He described the surge as a positive signal for expanding the penetration of Indonesian products across the wider Middle East market.

“The increase of more than 60 percent in potential transactions indicates strong enthusiasm among business players in the UAE for Indonesian F&B products. The exhibition also provides broader exposure for Indonesian F&B products to reach markets in various regions,” Denny said in Dubai on February 13, 2026.

Head of the Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Dubai Widy Haryono said foreign visitors showed strong interest in the Indonesian Pavilion. He noted that products such as biscuits and instant coffee drew particular attention from buyers.

Based on contact form data, potential transactions have so far reached IDR 107.17 billion (USD 6.36 million). The figure is expected to increase as transaction document verification remains ongoing.

“Visitors to the Indonesian Pavilion were highly enthusiastic about the products on display. The growing diversity of visitors from various countries shows the expanding global reach of our product promotion and the greater opportunity for Indonesia to attract buyers worldwide,” Widy said.

Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE Judha Nugraha called on international partners to continue collaborating with Indonesian exporters. He said Indonesia’s political and economic stability provides a solid foundation for long-term business partnerships.

He added that the implementation of the Indonesia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-UAE CEPA) since 2023 has significantly reduced import tariffs, opening opportunities for processed flour and dairy products to compete at more competitive prices.

“Indonesia has strong economic appeal, with growth above 5 percent, as well as political and diplomatic stability that supports the business climate. The I-UAE CEPA has been implemented since 2023, eliminating import tariffs,” Judha said.

A representative of PT Sekar Laut Tbk, Aditya Warman Untung, welcomed the active support from Indonesia’s trade representatives. He said business exploration facilities helped the company identify suitable supermarket networks.

Through government facilitation, the company’s snack products have entered international retail chains such as LuLu Hypermarket and Wemart Hypermarket. At Gulfood 2026, Aditya said the company met potential partners from Africa and Europe through business-matching sessions.

Indonesia posted a non-oil and gas trade surplus of USD 1.62 billion with the UAE, with exports still dominated by precious metal jewelry and palm oil products.

The processed food sector has grown by 16.81 percent over the past five years. Demand for processed meat and raw fish products has also risen steadily in the Dubai market. ***

This article is adapted from an Indonesian-language report written by Eliana Zahra Devina and edited by Mosita for RRI.