BRIN-TISTR Deepen their Research and Innovation Partnership in Asia & the Pacific Region

September 4-6, 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia, WAITRO members from the Asia & the Pacific region, including Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Thailand’s Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), attended the Food Ingredients Asia (Fi Asia Indonesia) held at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran. This gathering marks a significant milestone in research and innovation collaboration between Indonesia and Thailand.

During the event, BRIN and TISTR officially announced a strategic partnership, highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Cooperation Agreement. These agreements will serve as the foundation for a joint effort in technology and innovation development across various sectors. The signed MoU outlined future collaborations in research and innovation covering diverse areas, including health, food, and waste management. This demonstrates the commitment of both institutions to tackle global challenges through fostering impactful research and technological developments. Additionally, the Cooperation Agreement between BRIN’s Research Center for Appropriate Technology (RCAT) and TISTR’s Expert Centre of Innovative Health Food (Inno Food) focused on developing new plant-based food technologies. This collaboration aims to foster healthier and more sustainable food innovations, adding value to the food industry in both countries.

BRIN’s research-based startups also showcased their high-value health food products at Fi Asia, including health honey, diabetic-friendly honey, and spirulina cheese, presented by three companies: PT. Imago Randau Harmoni, PT. Amalose Tekno Indonesia, and PT. Rumah Keju Jogya. Moreover, two BRIN and one Thai startup joined “Startup Talks,” aimed at building future relationships between startups and investors in both countries.

September 3, 2024, a delegation led by Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit, Governor of TISTR, visited the food laboratory at KST B.J. Habibie in Serpong, to further realize BRIN-TISTR collaboration. They engaged in discussions with researchers in food, agriculture, raw material medicine, and related fields like biobanking and genomic research. The visit was attended by several delegates from Thailand, including biotechnology companies interested in partnering on ingredients extraction of Indonesia’s natural resources.

This partnership between Indonesia and Thailand is expected to accelerate the industrialization process, particularly in the fields of food and health. It represents a continuous effort by Indonesia and Thailand to strengthen their bilateral relations in science and technology, addressing global challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.