UNAIR NEWS – The Management Student Association at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), held an international seminar titled Savoring the Richness: Unlocking the Business Potential of Indonesian Flavours on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The event took place at the Miendrowo Hall in FEB’s Dharmawangsa-B Campus.
The seminar aimed to spotlight the potential of Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that use locally sourced ingredients and have the capacity to scale internationally. “This seminar is intended to introduce Indonesian MSMEs with strong global potential to an international audience,” said Daffa, a committee member from the Management Student Association. The event was primarily targeted at students from FEB, the wider UNAIR community, and international students currently studying at UNAIR.
Taking local products global
Two local brands were showcased during the seminar: Java Bite, which produces dried fruit made from Indonesian—primarily Javanese—produce, and Legend Tren, a contemporary beverage brand based on traditional palm sap drinks, including nira siwalan and nira lontar. Both products have already made inroads into international markets.
Among the speakers were Prof. Dr. Gancar C. Premananto, CDM CCC CI OCRO AIBIZ, a professor of management at UNAIR; Dr. Charles Nicholson, Director of PT Survei Food Products, the company behind Java Bite; and Muhammad Najih Islahuddin, Co-Founder of PT Legend Tren Indonesia.
Java Bite
Java Bite is recognized for producing premium dried fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, coconut, and guava. The products are packaged in culturally inspired designs that reflect Indonesia’s heritage and appeal to global tourists. “Bali is a key marketing hub due to the large number of foreign visitors it attracts each year,” said Nicholson.
The brand also delivers real economic benefits to rural communities. “By partnering with local farmers, we support fair trade practices and generate employment in underserved regions,” he added. Through rural investment, Java Bite fosters long-term job creation and economic sustainability.
Java Bite’s production and distribution are handled by Sunrei Food Products, while its social mission is supported by the nonprofit Building the Whole Person Foundation, which focuses on education and rural development.
Despite its success, Java Bite has faced significant hurdles, particularly high transaction costs in remote areas, which often deter investment. “By adopting a community-centered, sustainable production model, we’ve been able to overcome these challenges,” Nicholson concluded. “This strategy ensures both operational sustainability and meaningful social impact.”
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah
Editor : Ragil Kukuh Imanto
