Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in an opening speech at the 2021 Trade Ministry national meeting on Thursday called for the development of local products to be handled more seriously and even went as far to encourage a xenophobic campaign against foreign products.

"The appeal to love Indonesian products must be campaigned constantly. Also campaign to hate on foreign products. Not only [should we] campaign for love but also hate," said the President in the meeting that was held at the State Palace on March 4. "Love local products. Hate foreign products."

The President believes that a stronger branding treatment must be conducted to entice people to better accept local products rather than foreign ones.

"Our population totals 270 million people, this should be the most loyal consumers for our home made products. That is a major market base," said Jokowi in the meeting.

Jokowi also said that a strategy must be implemented that will help develop the Indonesian market where shopping centers are encouraged to make room for Indonesian products, especially made by MSMEs or micro, small, and medium enterprises in strategic areas and shove foreign brands to a less strategic location.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1438697/remarks-by-president-jokowi-calls-for-anti-foreign-product