The Ministry of Trade, in partnership with the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Canberra and the Indonesian Student Association Worldwide (PPI Dunia), unveiled the Melbourne Export Community. Launched during a hybrid event titled "Trade Attaché Talks x CEO Coffee Chat" in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday (25/1), the initiative aims to serve as an information and education hub for Indonesian student diaspora in Australia, fostering market knowledge and facilitating Indonesian product exports. Agung Haris Setiawan, the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Canberra, emphasized the significance of this community in supporting novice exporters among Indonesian students in Australia. He highlighted the support from industry players, including Import United Ausindo facilitating exporter warehouses and Navanti Holdings providing financial backing, to ignite enthusiasm among Indonesian student diaspora for Indonesian exports.
Amelia Devi Prasanti, Head of Bilateral Strengthening Division at PPI Dunia, noted the substantial potential of Indonesian students abroad to become export ambassadors, fostering trade cooperation between Indonesia and various countries. The Melbourne Export Community is part of PPI Dunia's efforts to engage students in national export acceleration. Taufiqurrahman Ali, Coordinator of the Melbourne Export Community and a Master's student at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the community's role in facilitating information exchange on export procedures among Indonesian students in Australia, enabling collaboration in identifying potential buyers and addressing knowledge gaps among aspiring exporters. This initiative builds upon the Export Ambassador activities previously conducted with the Deputy Minister of Trade in Canberra. Spearheaded by Yudhi Hartawan, President of PPI Australia 2022/2023, and Radya Mahardika, President of PPI New Zealand 2023/2024, both Ministry of Trade scholarship students, the inauguration of the Melbourne Export Community represents a tangible step towards empowering Indonesian student diaspora to contribute to the nation's export growth.
