Indonesian Minister: Baubau Fish Quality Suitable for Hajj Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, has declared that fish products from Baubau, a city in Southeast Sulawesi, are of sufficient quality to feed Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. This assessment came during his visit to PT Buton Indo Tuna, a local fish processing company.

Yusuf noted that while the product quality is promising, technical aspects such as shipping, packaging, and compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations need thorough discussion. "We must ensure our ability to meet all these requirements," he stated, emphasizing the need for detailed planning to integrate local products into the Hajj supply chain.

This initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's vision to leverage the Hajj pilgrimage not only for service but also as an economic driver for Indonesia. "There is a hope we carry from President Prabowo, that the Hajj ecosystem can benefit the Indonesian people," Yusuf explained. "Therefore, we are thinking about how the food consumed by Hajj pilgrims can be supplied from Indonesia."

Southeast Sulawesi's rich marine resources position it as a potential primary supplier of seafood. Other regions would contribute their respective unique products, such as agricultural goods. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will assign its Directorate General for the Development of the Hajj Economic Ecosystem to conduct further technical studies and discussions with stakeholders. The goal is to establish a concrete cooperation framework that opens international markets for Baubau's fishery products and strengthens the logistics system for Indonesian pilgrims.