Government-Managed Natural Resource Exports, Airlangga Optimistic the Rupiah Will Stabilise

Jakarta, VIVA – Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto believes that the governance rules for exporting strategic natural resource commodities will help maintain exchange rate stability through larger foreign exchange reserves. ‘Primarily to avoid and eliminate trade misinvoicing, and to spur economic growth, maintaining exchange rate stability certainly with larger foreign exchange reserves,’ he said at a press conference at the DPR RI in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He noted the regulation is needed because exports of natural resource commodities account for around 60 percent of total national exports. He explained that the three main commodities to be the initial focus are coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and ferro alloys. The three commodities are considered to have the largest contribution to national exports, and significant impact on foreign exchange earnings and economic stability. Therefore, the government will strengthen export supervision through an export-oriented state-owned enterprise, Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia. In addition, data transparency on export volumes and values is believed to enhance Indonesia’s trade credibility in the eyes of global markets and encourage optimised state revenue from taxes, export duties, and non-tax state revenue (PNBP). Airlangga also believes that this governance will strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining position with international buyers, helping to maintain price stability and expand export market share. In the initial phase, Airlangga said, export transactions will still be conducted directly by exporting companies with buyers abroad. However, export documentation will be handled by Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia during a three-month transition period, which will be evaluated by the government. Subsequently, from 1 September 2026, all processes of exporting strategic commodities—from contracts and shipment to payment—will be fully conducted by the designated state-owned enterprise (SOE).