GREENSBURG - The Indonesian diaspora plans to build a tempe factory in the US state of Indiana, said the Consulate-General of Indonesia in Chicago.
As reported by Antara, Indonesian Consul-General in Chicago Meri Binsar Simorangkir said the plan was initiated by Mayasari Effendi, an Indonesian living in Greensburg, Indiana who owns a restaurant called Mayasari Indonesian Grill in the city.
According to Mr Simorangkir, Indiana has been selected as it is known for producing high-quality soybeans. The factory, he said, is expected to commence operation by early 2021 with a production capacity of 1.6 million packs per week.
“The cooperation [between Indonesia and the state of Indiana] includes breeding superior soybean seeds, increasing soybean export cooperation, and technical cooperation in the form of apprenticeship programs for Indonesian youth to learn planting patterns, harvest management, and ways to produce quality soy-based products,” Mr Simorangkir said at a business meeting in Greensburg on 27 August 2020.
The meeting was also attended by Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and soybean entrepreneurs and exporters from the US Midwest.
“The Indonesian government is committed to further enhancing Indonesia’s cooperation with Indiana,” Mr Simorangkir added. (MS)