Indonesia Should Be Able to Defend "Jamu": Minister

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia should prevent its herbal and traditional medicine (jamu) industry from being dominated by other countries, since it is part of the nation's heritage, Industry Minister Saleh Husin said. "Don't let our 'jamu' be claimed by other countries and let them dominate our market," he told the attendants of the "Drinking Jamu to Love Our Herbal and Traditional Medicine Industry" campaign program, here Friday. Husin noted that the campaign was expected to promote herbal and traditional medicines among Indonesians, while its export markets should also be expanded. His ministry was also prepared to help strengthen herbal medicine producers, in which 90 percent of them are small and medium-scaled industries, by paving the way for them to obtain local raw materials, he said. Meanwhile, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said he was ready to work with involved parties to increase the export volume of Indonesian herbal medicines. "If we want to expand our exports, we must first respect our 'Jamu' products," he said. Indonesia has 1,160 traditional herbal medicine manufacturers, which employ 15 million employees. This industry earned Rp15 trillion in 2014, and is expected to increase to Rp20 trillion in 2015. (*) Reported by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani