RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The 2026 Indonesia–Saudi Arabia Business Matching Partnership Forum continues to strengthen opportunities for Indonesian businesses to enter the hajj and umrah economic supply chain. The Jakarta forum, themed Building Strategic Partnerships for a Sustainable Pilgrim Supply Chain, brought together businesspeople from both countries to establish sustainable business partnerships that will meet the needs of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development (Ditjen PE2HU) at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Jaenal Effendi, said that the forum was designed to open market access for Indonesian producers, MSMEs, and exporters while strengthening the supply chain for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

"This forum is not just a meeting place for businesses, it is also a starting point for building a solid ecosystem so that Indonesian producers, MSMEs, and exporters can access the Saudi Arabian market in a structured and sustainable manner. This is where the foundation of a strong Hajj supply chain begins to be laid," said Jaenal, at the event, Monday, August 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to him, Indonesia has great potential to become a supplier of various necessities for organizing the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. However, achieving this potential requires more structured connectivity, coordination, and business partnerships to access the Saudi Arabian market sustainably.

Jaenal explained that the needs of hajj organizers extend beyond spices and ready-to-eat foods. Catering for the Hajj requires various food commodities, such as rice, fish, meat, vegetables, flour, cooking oil, fresh spices, and dairy products.

This significant demand creates opportunities for national agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and processed food industries to join the global hajj and umrah economic supply chain.

To strengthen business matching, the Directorate General of PE2HU is encouraging the formation of export consortiums coordinated by competent exporters. This program is expected to ensure the quality and sustainability of supplies according to Saudi Arabian standards, provide market stability for producers and MSMEs, and boost the competitiveness of Indonesian products.

In addition to bringing business actors together, the forum serves as a platform for discussions on strengthening the supply chain ecosystem through the harmonization of halal and food safety standards, developing integrated logistics centers, and fostering human resource development, technology transfer, and the Indonesian Hajj Food Corridor.

"We want to build an inclusive Hajj economic ecosystem so its benefits can be felt directly by farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, MSMEs, and national industry businesses," said Jaenal.

Through business matching, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah hopes to strengthen the business partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, so Indonesia will become not only a market for hajj and umrah organizations, but also a major producer and supplier of pilgrim necessities.

"Through strong collaboration between the government, the business world, and Saudi Arabian partners, Indonesia will become a major producer and supplier of global hajj and umrah needs, not just a consumer,"Jaenal added. ***