THE meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday afternoon last week, felt special. For the first time ever, President Yudhoyono had invited 50 or so of the top businesspeople in the food industry. There were importers, exporters and producers, all of whom up until now have played a large role in steering food prices in Indonesia.

One of those present was Franciscus Welirang, Deputy President Director of Indofood, the king of instant noodles