As a strategy to support the empowerment of palm sugar farmers in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, Yayasan Rasagama Wita Nusantara together with the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI) and Exxon Mobil organized the Launching and Assistance of Foreign Exchange Village for Aren Sugar Cooperatives.

The event took place at Pasanggrahan Village Office, Pandeglang, Banten, on December 9-12, 2024, involving various parties, including the Local Government (Pemda), cooperatives, farmers, and partners.

Regional Assistant (Asda) II Economy and Development of Pandeglang Regency, Nuri Mustafa, said the Foreign Exchange Village program aims to create an ecosystem that supports the improvement of the quality and added value of local palm sugar products so that they can compete in the international market.

“Palm sugar is an export commodity of Pandeglang Regency that needs to be improved. This local potential needs to be supported by partners who can collaborate to realize the improvement of the welfare of the Pandeglang community,” said Nuri in his opening remarks.

By integrating cooperatives as the management center, he hopes, this program will be able to expand market access, increase production capacity, and ensure the sustainability of the palm sugar farmers’ business in the area to the global market.

Meanwhile, Head of LPEI’s Advisory Services Department, Nilla Meiditha added, the foreign exchange village assistance is an effort to provide gradual training to realize villages that have export potential.

” It is expected that this program can increase the export potential of palm sugar products produced by Arenta Cooperative,” said Nilla.

On this occasion, Exxon Mobil Indonesia’s Planning and Strategic Supervisor, Ellyza, was also present. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Rasagama Wita Nusantara Foundation as well as the initiator of the program, Ditta Yuningtrias also hopes that the assistance will produce exporters in the foreign exchange village.

“Hopefully, this program can increase the spirit of palm sugar business in Pandeglang Regency, and be useful for increasing the capacity of its products,” said Ditta.

“The event was also attended by agencies from the local government who are ready to synergize to increase palm sugar exports.” she emphasized.