Ministry has three strategies to boost exports amid uncertainty

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Trade said it relies on three key strategies to boost the country's export value to support the national economic growth target amid global uncertainty.

Director General of National Export Development at the ministry, Fajarini Puntodewi, here on Wednesday, stated that the strategies comprise expanding export market access, improving exporters' competitiveness, and diversifying export markets and products.

The first strategy is to expand export market access by finalizing and optimizing various international trade agreements to secure more competitive tariffs and broader market access for Indonesian products, she explained.

Indonesia currently has 25 international trade agreements, including the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA), the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), and the Indonesia-Australia CEPA (IA-CEPA).

Other pacts include trade agreements with the European Union (IEU-CEPA), Peru (IP-CEPA), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-FTA), South Korea (IK-CEPA), Japan (IJEPA), China (ACFTA), and New Zealand (AANZFTA).

Under the second strategy, the ministry is committed to boosting the competitiveness of exporters, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), through export assistance, business matching, and trade promotion.

Meanwhile, the third strategy is diversifying export markets and products so that Indonesia's export performance does not depend heavily on specific markets or commodities.

Puntodewi noted that the three strategies are expected to position exports as a primary driver of national economic growth, create jobs, and increase foreign exchange earnings.

International trade promotion is also being intensified through exhibitions, trade missions, business matching, and digital platforms, supported by 46 overseas trade representatives, comprising Trade Attachés and Indonesia Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs).

According to ministry data, Indonesia's exports reached US$23.20 billion in May 2026, down 8.30 percent from April 2026 and 5.73 percent from May 2025, driven by a 34.38 percent drop in oil and gas exports and a 7.05 percent decline in non-oil and gas exports.

Cumulatively, Indonesia's exports reached US$115.36 billion during the January-May 2026 period, up 3.02 percent year-on-year.

The growth was led by non-oil and gas exports, which rose 3.89 percent to US$110.19 billion, while oil and gas exports fell 12.71 percent to US$5.17 billion.

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Translator: Maria, Kenzu

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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