The Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Disperindagkop) of East Kalimantan aims to explore the export potential of processed seaweed products, particularly to several international markets. Headed by Heni Purwaningsih, Disperindagkop emphasizes the significance of seaweed from East Kalimantan as a crucial ingredient in cosmetics and health industries, contributing notably to the production of capsule drugs and cosmetic items. Currently, seaweed commodities from East Kalimantan are largely exported and processed into carrageenan abroad, presenting a notable reliance on imports. To address this, the department advocates for domestic production of carrageenan to reduce import dependency and enhance local value addition. The primary seaweed species utilized for these purposes are Eucheuma Cottonii and Gracilaria, highly sought after in the international market, particularly for cosmetics and health products. Notably, SMEs in Palaran, Samarinda, successfully exported seaweed to China, despite rigorous certification requirements for entry into the Chinese market.
Out of 15 fisheries SMEs in East Kalimantan engaged in exports, several have obtained essential certifications such as Processing Eligibility Certificate (SKP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACPP), and Health Certificate (HC), ensuring compliance with international standards. Plans are underway to establish workshops and equipment for seaweed processing into carrageenan, with intentions to showcase the production process to journalists, enhancing transparency and visibility. The fisheries and marine sector in East Kalimantan are positioned as a potential replacement for the dominance of mining. Efforts include supporting the export of "kepok" bananas, which have successfully penetrated the Japanese market. To further bolster the sector, collaborations are planned with various stakeholders, leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs from large corporations to enhance the capacity of SMEs in fisheries and marine activities. These strategic initiatives aim to map out potentials and opportunities more clearly, with the objective of increasing exports of local products like seaweed and "kepok" bananas, thereby opening up new market opportunities for Indonesia, especially in East Kalimantan.
