Indonesia shifts focus to high-value added product exports

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Trade Ministry is shifting its strategy away from primary commodities, prioritizing the export of high-value-added products and services to accelerate national economic growth and sharpen Indonesia’s global competitiveness.

Fajarini Puntodewi, Director General of National Export Development at the ministry, announced that the government’s long-term export blueprint will focus heavily on industrial downstreaming and the digital economy rather than a traditional reliance on raw materials.

"The government's priority in the next few years is to encourage exports of products with higher added value to increase Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market and make a greater contribution to national economic growth," Puntodewi told ANTARA here on Wednesday.

The shifting focus spans multiple sectors, including processed agricultural and plantation goods, fisheries, processed food, electronics, automotive, footwear, textiles, iron and steel as well as furniture.

In addition to manufactured goods, the ministry is actively promoting service exports driven by the digital economy, such as gaming, animation, e-commerce, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), alongside the hospitality sector.

Puntodewi explained that the government is utilizing a dual-track approach for market penetration.

While strengthening ties with key traditional trading partners like China, the US, India, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN neighbors, Indonesia is aggressively opening non-traditional markets.

These include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Peru, Pakistan, and Kenya, by leveraging existing international trade agreements.

To execute this market expansion, the Directorate General of National Export Development has scheduled 178 international trade promotional activities throughout 2026.

The campaign will encompass 48 distinct promotions spearheaded by Indonesian Trade Representatives abroad, alongside international exhibitions, trade missions, business matchmaking sessions and the annual Trade Expo Indonesia.

"The government's focus is not only on increasing export value, but also on ensuring high-quality and sustainable trade growth,” Puntodewi noted.

By embedding local industries deeper into global supply chains—especially in electronics, spare parts, and apparel—the ministry aims to trigger an economic multiplier effect that stimulates industrial capacity, draws foreign investment and generates jobs.

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Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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