Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister and Uzbek Deputy PM Explore Export Opportunities for Women's MSME Products

Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Mahkamova have explored export opportunities for products from women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in both countries. Speaking in Jakarta on Thursday, Deputy Minister Roro stated that Indonesia and Uzbekistan have the opportunity to build stronger connectivity between women entrepreneurs in both nations. “One form of cooperation being explored is the organisation of seminars and knowledge-sharing programmes for export-ready MSMEs, both virtually and face-to-face, with the support of diplomatic representatives from both countries,” she said during a meeting with Zulaykho Mahkamova, who also chairs Uzbekistan’s Committee on Family and Women, in Tashkent on Tuesday (16/6/2026). Deputy Minister Roro expressed hope that the programme would help business actors understand the market characteristics of each country, expand business networks, and obtain information on export procedures and requirements necessary to enter the Uzbek and Indonesian markets. During the meeting, both parties agreed that women play an increasingly strategic role in driving inclusive economic growth. As trade relations strengthen through the Indonesia-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation, there are significant opportunities for women entrepreneurs to participate in various economic collaborations currently being developed. The two sides also exchanged views on various products with prospects for development in bilateral trade. Products such as tea, chocolate, dried fruit, tropical fruit, modest fashion, and cosmetics were deemed to have opportunities to reach wider markets in both countries. According to Roro Esti, strengthening economic relations is not only measured by increased trade value, but also by the expanding opportunities for community groups that have long been economic drivers at the grassroots level. “When women are given access to markets, information, and international networks, they not only build their own businesses but also create jobs and improve the welfare of their families and communities,” she explained. The Deputy Trade Minister therefore sees great potential in Indonesia-Uzbekistan cooperation to encourage more women to scale up their businesses and become global export players. Roro Esti further emphasised that economic cooperation between Indonesia and Uzbekistan must be accompanied by concrete collaboration for business actors on the ground. “We want to ensure that the benefits of the economic relationship between the two countries can be felt directly by business actors, especially women’s MSMEs,” she stated. Through capacity-building programmes, market information exchange, and stronger business connectivity, she hopes that more leading Indonesian and Uzbek products will be able to penetrate each other’s markets. “Indonesia and Uzbekistan have agreed to continue exploring various collaborative opportunities that can strengthen the role of women as drivers of trade, entrepreneurship, and economic development in the future,” concluded Deputy Trade Minister Roro Esti.