Medan \u2013 Trade Minister Budi Santoso formally released an export\nshipment of nine tonnes of kepok banana valued at approximately 270\nmillion rupiah to Malaysia in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra, on Friday,\nas part of efforts to strengthen market access for small and\nmedium-sized enterprises (SMEs).<\/p>\n
Budi stated that the Ministry of Trade is implementing the \u201cUMKM Bisa\nEkspor\u201d (SMEs Can Export) programme to coordinate export-oriented\nbusinesses through business matching sessions with prospective foreign\nbuyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day there are business matching sessions. Micro, small, and\nmedium-sized enterprises present their products and we help them find\nbuyers,\u201d Budi said, accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya\nduring the export release event.<\/p>\n
According to Budi, approximately 1,200 SMEs have registered export\ntransactions through the programme, with a total value reaching 134.8\nmillion US dollars. He added that nearly 70 per cent of SMEs\nparticipating in business matching had never previously engaged in\nexports.<\/p>\n
The UMKM Bisa Ekspor programme, he continued, serves as one of the\ninstruments to maintain national economic circulation whilst expanding\nthe market for domestic products. Budi called on regional governments to\nsupport the programme so that SMEs can survive in the domestic market\nand compete in the global marketplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis may be one shipment, but it sends a strong message that the\nagricultural products of North Sumatra farmers are capable of competing\nin the international market,\u201d said Surya.<\/p>\n
Maintaining Quality<\/p>\n
Surya emphasised that exporting is not merely about sending goods\nabroad, but also maintaining quality, production continuity, quality\nstandards, and the trust of trading partners.<\/p>\n
The North Sumatra provincial government continues to encourage\nagricultural downstream development so that value addition does not stop\nat raw commodities but instead develops into processed products with\nhigher economic value.<\/p>\n
Surya noted that North Sumatra\u2019s export performance in 2025 reached\n12.3 billion US dollars, an increase of approximately 14 per cent\ncompared to the previous year. He stated that this achievement reflects\nthe hard work of farmers, business operators, and the support of\nappropriate policies in strengthening the region\u2019s competitiveness.<\/p>\n
The provincial government, Surya said, will continue to promote\nexports of leading commodities sustainably, strengthen agricultural and\nagro-industrial downstream development, and develop small industry and\ngarment centres as drivers of local economic growth.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/trade-minister-releases-nine-tonne-export-of-kepok-banana-to-malaysia-1772214775", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }