Show their teeth at the World Economic Forum, Rendang Jengkol and cows made in Bandung through the US and European markets
Willy Widianto/Tribunnews.com
TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA – One of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products from Bandung, West Java, worldwide because it successfully participated in the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Switzerland.
One of the food products introduced is cows and rendang egg chips produced by Indonesian MSMEs named Restu Mande.
At the event which took place from 20 to 24 January, the superior product of the MSME, rendang beef and egg chips, became a favorite of visitors at the Indonesian pavilion.
In addition, this Indonesian UMKM also introduced a number of Indonesian concoctions ranging from rendang spices, curry chicken seasoning, Teri Balado Hijau, and Rendang Jengkol.
Restu Mande’s Business Development Director, Utami Ichda Ramadhanty claimed to be honored for the warm welcome received during the WEF 2025 event in Switzerland.
Also read: Google Doodle today displays rendang, the most delicious food in the world
“Honestly, initially surprised when one of the Grab teams contacted us for Nawarin Restu Mande to Switzerland. Had think what this is cheated, but thank God it turns out really. Very happy to get a warm welcome from visitors. They seemed to try the product because it tastes authentic. Then the product is durable and practical too, visitors are enthusiastic to bring home our products, “said Utami, Tuesday (1/28/2025).
In addition to offering authentic flavors that are rich in spices, this Indonesian MSME product has another advantage with complete food quality certification ownership, even succeeding in meeting the Standards and Certification of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which is very difficult to obtain.
Not only that, he has also pocketed various certification ranging from halal certification by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Good Manufacturing Practice Certified (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certified.
“Get the FDA certification No easy. We must make sure all standards are met, from production facilities to product tests. Now, there are four of our products that have been certified by FDA, namely Rendang Seasoning, Curry Chicken Seasoning, Teri Balado Hijau, and Rendang Jengkol. Besides being able to enter the American market, we can also enter the markets of other countries that receive this certification such as Canada, New Zealand, and Japan, “Utami said.
This complete certification is the main provision to expand to the international market.
At present, MSME products have made it into Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Australia and Singapore markets.
Had been intercepted by Pandemi
Utami’s journey to be able to be in the current position is not always smooth.
Pandemi Covid-19 is the toughest challenge for him because the income of restaurant in the center of Bandung (West Java) has declined dramatically.
However, by utilizing online booking platforms such as Grab, he is able to slowly get up and actually grow.
“By joining as a Grab merchant partner since 2020, we can reach more customers. As a result, our sales increased 300 percent compared to revenue before Pandemic. Until the pandemic ended, our income remained stable until now, “Utami said.
Country Managing Director of Grab Indonesia, Neneng Goenadi said that his party was proud to have become part of the journey of Restu Mande, from supporting business digitalization to helping to achieve significant business growth in expanding the range of distribution and consumers, so that income became multiplied.
“The participation of Restu Mande at the Indonesian Pavilion is a form of our commitment in encouraging native Indonesian MSMEs, while proving that local innovations are able to compete in the global market,” he said.
He stated, his party not only focused on profits, but also created a positive impact for the local community by opening up job opportunities for housewives without leaving their role at home, with flexible working hours offers.
One inspirational story came from Mrs. Cicih, a 50-year-old single mother who had worked at the MSME for 15 years, and managed to raise and send her children to graduate.
In addition, this MSME also cooperates with local farmers around Bandung (West Java) to ensure quality raw materials, such as meat and spices, are obtained directly from the source.
By breaking the middle of the middleman and buying directly from farmers, it certainly increases the income of farmers while ensuring the quality of raw materials is maintained.
Thus, the sustainability of this business is not only for the success of the MSME business wheels, but also for the welfare of the surrounding community.
In the future, Restu Mande will be ambitious to continue to develop and introduce Indonesia’s taste in the global arena.
After attending the Indonesian Pavilion in Davos, Switzerland, they were preparing requirements for EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) certification in order to expand the market to Europe.
“Hopefully our steps can motivate other MSMEs that local products can also go international,” Utami said.
