The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) is strengthening cross-sectoral synergy to accelerate the export of food products from South Kalimantan (Kalsel), an area with significant potential for further development. "This synergy is essential for all parties to support and understand the regulations related to food product exports, for which Barantin is responsible for issuing health certifications," said Acting Principal Secretary of Barantin, Bambang Wahyu Dwiantoro, in Banjarmasin on Wednesday. During a Focus Group Discussion with local governments, relevant agencies, and business operators to support the acceleration of exports of animal, fish, and plant products, Bambang highlighted that Kalsel has many export-leading products such as palm oil, rubber, coffee, arowana fish, crabs, bird nests, agarwood, shrimp, captured fish, and eels. However, their quantities need to be increased by enhancing food quality guarantees that meet international standards. "Exporters must pay close attention to food quality to meet the standards of the destination countries," he explained.
Bambang also emphasized the critical role of Kalsel in implementing a unified quarantine system in Kalimantan (One Borneo Quarantine System) to provide optimal protection for the island's biological natural resources. Barantin has initiated a quarantine system involving three countries on Borneo: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. This initiative aims to establish a unified quarantine agreement for animals, fish, plants, and their derivatives transported between these countries. Meanwhile, South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor, represented by the Assistant for General Administration at the South Kalimantan Secretariat, Ahmad Bagiawan, expressed appreciation for Barantin's support in accelerating exports, which aligns with regional efforts to promote exports of agricultural, fishery, and small and medium industrial products. "We are grateful that Barantin, through the Kalsel Quarantine Center, is committed to facilitating access to food product exports by ensuring compliance with international standards and requirements, particularly for each destination country," he said.
