Reversing the Trend

In 1776 Adam Smith stated what everyone believed at the time to be an irrefutable fact.

"Rich and civilized nations can always exchange to a much greater value with one another, than with savages and barbarians."

It made sense.  And it implied that trade would happen almost exclusively among the rich.

Indeed fifteen years of liberalized trade policies in Indonesia reinforce the notion that low-income, remote households are excluded from international trade.  Figure 1 shows that the exports from small- and medium-sized enterprises have diminished.  Specifically, the share of exports in the gross domestic product of Indonesia's small and medium enterprises have trended from low (9%) to lower (3.5%).

This matter motivated the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, to implore the diplomatic corps to promote abroad products made by small enterprises in Indonesia.  Apparently, the President would like to reverse the trend.

So, when the Indonesian embassy in Washington, DC wanted to include Java Bite products in their pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show, we accepted their invitation to participate!

If you happen to be in New York City, June 28-30, please visit our booth!

Java Bite products began with the motivation to train and equip village residents to produce export-quality dried fruit products.  Village-made products will find their way into the hands of folks in New York City.  Resource Exchange International, Inc. is proud to have created opportunities where none existed before.   I think Adam Smith would be proud too.