Airlangga: Exporters Eligible for Rupiah Loans When DHE Funds Fall Short

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that natural resources exporters can obtain rupiah loans from banks if domestic liquidity needs exceed the 50% foreign exchange conversion obligation of export proceeds (DHE). According to Airlangga, Bank Indonesia (BI) and commercial banks have prepared a financing mechanism for exporters needing additional rupiah funds following the new DHE rules. “For import and other needs, they can use dollars. For rupiah needs exceeding 50%, BI or banks will provide a loan mechanism,” he said at the National Conference on Regional Economic Development (KNPED) in Jakarta on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Under the new rules, natural resources exporters must deposit 100% of DHE into Indonesia’s financial system, but the foreign exchange conversion requirement to rupiah has been reduced to a maximum of 50%. Non-oil and gas exporters must hold DHE domestically for 12 months, while oil and gas exporters must do so for three months.

Airlangga added the government offers tax incentives, exempting income tax on interest earned from holding DHE in foreign currency. DHE deposits are made through banks that are members of the state-owned bank consortium (Himbara), though exceptions apply for exporters from specific trading partner countries. “Exporters from countries with existing trade cooperation agreements with Indonesia may deposit DHE outside Himbara banks,” he said, adding BI would issue a letter regarding this.

Initially, the export mechanism will integrate via the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) system with PT DSI as a co-exporter. “Each company can still export with their respective partners. We will evaluate in parallel over the next three months, with full implementation from 1 January,” Airlangga said. The government confirmed existing business-to-business (B2B) contracts will be honoured provided they do not involve under-valuation or under-invoicing.

The government expects this system to boost revenue from taxes, royalties, and natural resource exports. “Going forward, natural resources will not be limited to just three commodities, but we will prioritise Indonesia’s top three export commodities,” he added.