Deputy Trade Minister invites the public to become ambassadors for Indonesian products

By taking pride in Indonesian products, we can also help our UMKM grow. Jakarta — Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag) Dyah Roro Esti urged the public to become ambassadors for domestic products to the world. ‘We all have a role to play as ambassadors for our flagship products in Indonesia, to be introduced to the world,’ Wamendag Roro said in a podcast interview with ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday, 4 March. Roro cited one way as wearing local products when travelling abroad or meeting friends from other countries. ‘So self-diplomacy is something we always undertake, because by taking pride in the products within ourselves, we can help our UMKM grow,’ she added. In addition, the government through the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) is actively taking various steps to facilitate Indonesian micro, small and medium entrepreneurs who wish to take their business onto the world stage. One of these is the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), to be held from 14-18 October 2026, with a target of USD 17.5 billion in transactions, or around Rp293.3 trillion. Kemendag is optimistic that this year’s target can be achieved, supported by positive export trends with Indonesia’s exports growing 6.15 percent in 2025. ‘It’s our time to showcase what Indonesia can offer, if the products we present are also very diverse. There are food and beverages, there is furniture, there are chemicals, and even more technical sectors, such as machinery, but alongside that clothing, textiles, fashion,’ said Roro. From the early registration stage, exhibitors are immediately facilitated through business matching with potential buyers from abroad. He said the process involves trade attachés and Indonesian representatives in 33 countries, so transaction opportunities can be prepared more thoroughly before the exhibition takes place. ‘For friends who are actually interested in exporting, this is the time for networking. There are seminars and talk shows, so we can connect directly with the right people,’ the Wamendag said. ‘If we want to succeed, we must be proactive and we must work hard, and Trade Expo Indonesia is hoped to provide opportunities for the public to communicate, network, and learn. So hopefully this will also be beneficial,’ he added.