Customs and Excise Strengthens Synergy to Expand Export Access, Investment, and SME Assistance
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Customs and Excise continues to build synergy with regional governments, business actors and strategic partners to drive an increase in national exports.
These efforts are realised through collaborations in Manado, Bekasi Regency and Balikpapan, focusing on developing logistics infrastructure, strengthening business capacity, and assisting MSMEs so they can break into international markets.
In Manado, the North Sulawesi Regional Office of Customs and Excise facilitated a meeting between the North Sulawesi Provincial Government and delegations from China Merchants Port Group and SITC Group to discuss investment opportunities at Bitung Port as well as the development of a direct Bitung–China shipping service.
The meeting followed up on a visit by the Chinese company delegations to explore potential cooperation in developing the port and logistics ecosystem in eastern Indonesia.
In the discussion, various stakeholders addressed port infrastructure development, logistics connectivity, and the strengthening of Indonesia–China trade networks.
China Merchants Port Group expressed interest in making Bitung Port one of its new logistics investment locations, while SITC Group affirmed its commitment to supporting improved shipping services in line with growing trade flows between Bitung and China.
The development of the Bitung Special Economic Zone (KEK) is also seen as having great potential to spur investment growth and smooth the flow of goods through the port.
In Bekasi Regency, Cikarang Customs partnered with the Bekasi Regency Trade Office to hold guidance for export-oriented businesses under the theme “How to Start Exporting”.
The session provided participants with an understanding of export procedures, compliance with customs regulations, and the use of various facilities available to businesses, particularly MSMEs.
Meanwhile, in Balikpapan, Balikpapan Customs supported the development of the Foreign Exchange Village (Desa Devisa) Programme through Meet to Match (M2M) Batch 4 activities in Karang Joang subdistrict.
The event involved various government agencies, Bank Indonesia, the Indonesia Export Financing Institution (LPEI), farmer groups and private parties to develop export potential based on the region’s flagship products.
During the activity, Customs provided guidance on export procedures, the use of the Export Clinic, and assistance services for businesses.
The Foreign Exchange Village Programme is expected to become a hub for collecting, processing and marketing value-added agricultural products so that more local goods can penetrate international markets.
Budi Prasetiyo, Head of the Public Relations and Counselling Subdirectorate at Customs and Excise, said success in improving export performance requires close collaboration between government, the business community and all stakeholders.
He stressed that Customs continues to foster a strong export ecosystem through synergy with regional governments, businesses and strategic partners.
“This collaboration not only opens up investment opportunities and strengthens logistics connectivity, but also builds the capacity of MSMEs so they can compete in international markets. We will continue to provide services, assistance and facilitation that support national export growth,” said Budi.