Media

Jakarta - The National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Employers' Association (DPN APINDO) held an audience with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to strengthen synergy between the business sector and the government in enhancing national nutrition resilience. The meeting took place at the Office of the Head of the Agency, 1st Floor, Building E, Ministry of Agriculture Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday (March 18, 2025).

Representing DPN APINDO at the meeting were members of the Inter-Institutional Relations Division (HAL), led by Sarman Simanjorang (Chairman of the Inter-Institutional Relations Division), accompanied by Parlindungan Purba (Vice Chairman of the Inter-Institutional Relations Division), Tedja Soemantri, and Susi Ginting.

Also present were representatives from the MSME Division, represented by Lishia Erza (Chairwoman of the Committee on Capacity Building and Inclusive Economy), and the SDGs Division, represented by Lucius Dinto (Chairman of the Committee on Community Welfare). Additionally, representatives from the Riau Islands Provincial Board of APINDO, Stanly Rocky (Chairman of the DPP) and Widianto (Board Member), also attended the meeting.

The audience was directly received by the Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dr. Ir. Dadan Hindayana, who expressed appreciation for APINDO's visit and emphasized the importance of private sector partnerships in supporting national nutrition improvement programs.

Several key points were discussed during the meeting, including:

Partner Guidelines for the Development of Nutrition Service Units (SPPG). APINDO and BGN discussed collaboration mechanisms in establishing SPPG to improve public access to nutritious food. Based on the guidelines prepared by BGN, a clear administrative mechanism exists for partner applications, operational phases of SPPG, and a structured monitoring and evaluation system.

Investment in Human Resources through Nutrition Resilience. The Head of BGN emphasized that investing in optimal nutrition fulfillment is a strategic step in building Indonesia’s superior human resources, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

Target of the Nutritious Food Program (MBG). According to BGN data from 2024, 82.9 million people are targeted by the MBG program. This program aims to reduce stunting rates, address malnutrition, and prevent the rising prevalence of obesity across various age groups.

Business Sector Support in Infrastructure and Consumption Pattern Education. The Head of BGN outlined two primary expectations for APINDO as a strategic partner:

• Development of SPPG Infrastructure. APINDO is expected to contribute to the establishment of SPPG infrastructure, which currently targets 30,000 locations across various regions.
• Community Education on Consumption Patterns. The business sector can play a role in educating the public on structuring nutritious meal plans and optimizing the use of local food resources.

Supply Chain Aspects and Partnerships with MSMEs. The discussion also highlighted how the business sector, particularly MSMEs, can contribute to the supply chain of nutritious food. APINDO is committed to encouraging broader participation from its members in supporting national nutrition resilience, including through training and mentoring for MSMEs involved in food distribution systems.

The audience resulted in a shared understanding of the importance of synergy between the government and the business sector in enhancing national nutrition resilience. APINDO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the MBG program through its members' participation in providing nutritious food and developing a sustainable business ecosystem in the food sector.

As a follow-up, APINDO and BGN will further discuss investment schemes, distribution mechanisms, and MSME involvement in national nutrition programs. Additionally, BGN expressed its readiness to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APINDO to accelerate the implementation of the MBG program in various regions. Through this collaboration, it is expected that national nutrition improvement programs will be more effective and have a tangible impact on the well-being of the Indonesian people.