Indonesia urges manufacturers to boost exports through trade pacts

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Budi Santoso encouraged labor-intensive industries to increase exports by leveraging international trade agreements Indonesia has forged with multiple countries.

“Indonesia has trade agreements that can be used to promote Indonesian products. The government remains determined to support labor-intensive manufacturing products, striving for more competitive tariffs in export destination countries,” he said in a statement here on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Trade, he added, is committed to strengthening synergy with export-oriented industrial actors to expand market access and boost the competitiveness of the national manufacturing sector.

To that end, Santoso hosted representatives from Epson’s Japan headquarters and PT Indonesia Epson Industry at the ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 14).

He used the meeting to encourage the Japanese multinational corporation to maximize Indonesia’s trade pacts to step up exports of products manufactured in the country.

The minister also appreciated Epson for its plans to expand the market reach of its Indonesian branch to countries in Africa and the Middle East.

He noted that the expansion direction aligns with Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to pivot toward markets in non-traditional trade partner countries.

According to him, Indonesia is currently implementing 20 trade agreements, with 15 pacts under ratification and 11 deals still in negotiation.

He emphasized that the Trade Ministry had established trade missions in 33 countries, reflecting its commitment to assisting exporters in overcoming hurdles in destination markets.

On that note, he reiterated the importance of manufacturing firms in Indonesia leveraging all available facilities to boost export volumes.

Santoso also highlighted the ministry’s continued efforts to provide strong logistical and regulatory foundations for a more conducive industrial ecosystem in collaboration with relevant institutions.

“The Trade Ministry will continue coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to help tackle issues faced by exporters,” he concluded.

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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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