Indonesia Prioritizes Laboratory Revitalization for Enhanced Import-Export Quality

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) will focus on improving testing laboratories in the next five years. Hudiansyah Nursal, Head of the Barantin Legal and Public Relations Bureau, stated that the quality of laboratories for testing plants, fish, and animals entering Indonesia is very good.

Nursal highlighted that numerous large laboratories in the country hold global recognition and reliability certificates from export-import destinations in Europe, America, and Asia-Pacific. One prominent example is the Agricultural Standards Test Center in Cibubur, East Jakarta. This center serves as a benchmark for testing commodities involved in import and export.

Nursal confirmed the need to enhance laboratory capabilities due to the increasing flow of goods in and out of Indonesia. He noted a rise of 10–20 percent in commodity assurance certificates issued by Barantin last year. For instance, the Jakarta Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Center (BBKHIT) issued 15,000 certificates for commodities from mid-January to October 2024. This was an increase from the 12,000 certificates issued in the same timeframe the previous year.

How does the Indonesian Quarantine Agency plan to collaborate with other ministries to enhance laboratory capabilities?

Interview with Hudiansyah Nursal: Enhancing Indonesia’s Quarantine Laboratory Capabilities

Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Nursal. To start, could you elaborate on the Indonesian Quarantine Agency’s plans for laboratory improvements over the next five years?

Hudiansyah Nursal: Thank you for having me. Our primary focus will be on enhancing the capabilities of our testing laboratories across Indonesia. We recognize that as the flow of goods increases, we must ensure that our laboratory standards remain high to meet global expectations.

Interviewer: You mentioned that some laboratories already hold global recognition. Can you give us an example of such a laboratory and its significance?

Hudiansyah Nursal: Absolutely. One prominent example is the Agricultural Standards Test Center located in Cibubur, East Jakarta. This center not only holds global reliability certificates but also serves as a benchmark for testing commodities involved in both import and export processes. Its credibility ensures that we maintain international standards in our assessments.

Interviewer: With the rising flow of goods, how significant has the increase been in the issuance of commodity assurance certificates?

Hudiansyah Nursal: Last year, we observed a notable increase of 10–20 percent in the issuance of commodity assurance certificates by Barantin. For instance, from mid-January to October 2024, the Jakarta Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Center issued 15,000 certificates. This was a jump from 12,000 certificates during the same period the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for our services.

Interviewer: How do you plan to collaborate with other ministries and agencies to achieve these laboratory improvements?

Hudiansyah Nursal: Collaboration is key to our strategy. We will work closely with related ministries and agencies to streamline processes, share resources, and enhance our technological capabilities. By building strong partnerships, we aim to create a more efficient system that can effectively manage and respond to the increasing demands of global trade.

Interviewer: What challenges do you anticipate in enhancing these laboratory capabilities, and how do you plan to address them?

Hudiansyah Nursal: One of the significant challenges is keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. We will address this by investing in training for our personnel and continuously upgrading our equipment to ensure we remain at the forefront of laboratory testing standards. Furthermore, securing adequate funding will be essential to support these initiatives.

Interviewer: what message do you want to convey to stakeholders regarding the future of Indonesia’s quarantine laboratories?

Hudiansyah Nursal: I want to assure stakeholders that the Indonesian Quarantine Agency is committed to maintaining high-quality laboratory standards that align with global norms. Our focus on improvements over the next five years reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety and quality of commodities entering and leaving our country. Together, we can achieve a robust quarantine system that benefits everyone involved in trade. Thank you.

Interviewer: Thank you, Mr. Nursal, for sharing your insights with us. We look forward to seeing how these improvements unfold in the coming years.

Nursal emphasized that improving laboratories and collaborating with related ministries and agencies will be their priority for the next five years.