Jakarta, Jan. 19 -- Indonesia is pursuing efforts to establish itself as a global coffee hub, Trade Minister Budi Santoso announced on Monday.

The statement came in response to a proposal from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), which suggested that Indonesia-one of the world's largest coffee producers-could play a greater role in influencing global coffee prices.

"We will take steps so that Indonesia can become a coffee hub," Santoso said after inaugurating the Asian Trade, Tourism, and Economics Council (ATTEC) office in Jakarta.

On the idea of Indonesia setting global coffee prices, Santoso noted that the government would examine the proposal carefully, given the long-standing market mechanisms already in place....