Astra-Backed MSMEs Record Rp104.9 Billion in Potential Transactions at TEI
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — PT Astra International Tbk (Astra), together with Desa Sejahtera Astra, MSMEs supported by the Astra Foundation-Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation, and Astra Group-supported MSMEs, generated potential transactions worth Rp104.9 billion at Trade Expo Indonesia 2026. The figure comprises potential export transactions of Rp103.14 billion and retail-network partnerships worth Rp1.76 billion.
The potential transactions were recorded in 12 memoranda of understanding and 19 letters of intent (LoIs). Products offered included agricultural commodities, coffee, tea, cocoa, fishery products, palm sugar, and processed food and beverages, reaching prospective partners in international markets and domestic retail.
“This is one example of multi-stakeholder collaboration to expand the reach of MSME products in global markets. Astra hopes this achievement will inspire MSME players to continue developing their potential and flagship products so they can become more competitive, reach broader markets and create added value for the nation,” Astra Executive in Charge Boy Gemino Kalauserang said, according to a written statement on Monday (19 October 2026).
During Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, several export agreements were concluded. They included cocoa from Desa Sejahtera Astra Sikka in East Nusa Tenggara for the Australian market, and rice anchovies from Desa Sejahtera Astra Jepara for Japan. Areca nuts from Desa Sejahtera Astra Jambi secured an agreement for India, followed by green coffee beans from Desa Sejahtera Astra Cikoneng for the UK, butterfly pea flower extract from Optima Global Harmoni, an MSME supported by the Astra Foundation-Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation, for South Korea, and herbs and spices from Desa Sejahtera Astra Banyuwangi for Pakistan.
Business agreements were also made with domestic companies, including a retail-network partnership for mini-cube palm sugar from Desa Sejahtera Astra Temon Agro Lestari. Sekar Jawi, an MSME supported by the Astra Foundation-Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation, secured an agreement for its spiced drink products. Boy said the products would be distributed to meet consumer demand in various parts of Indonesia.
“These efforts to build capacity and expand export markets are part of Astra’s social contribution, which aims to improve community welfare through business development, better product quality and increased market access for leading products from villages and MSMEs,” he said.
One such initiative is the Desa Sejahtera Astra Export Champion programme, run in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). It provides staged support, from export training and product curation to assessment, business pitching and business matching to connect businesses with prospective partners.
Boy added that Astra’s commitment to benefiting communities is reflected in various initiatives that promote greater capacity and self-reliance in regions across the country.
“That commitment is part of Astra’s journey, as it approaches its 70th anniversary on 20 February 2027 under the theme ‘Creating and Growing Together with Indonesia’,” he said.
“Nearly seven decades of Astra’s journey reflect not only the company’s growth, but also its efforts to continue benefiting Indonesia. To date, at least 16 million people have benefited from Astra’s initiatives in various regions, including through the Desa Sejahtera Astra programme, which has reached more than 1,500 villages in 35 provinces through development work in health, education, the environment and entrepreneurship,” Boy added.
“Astra’s commitment to creating and growing together with Indonesia through Desa Sejahtera Astra and the Astra Foundations is in keeping with Astra’s aspiration to prosper alongside the nation and support Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals,” he concluded.