Kepok Bananas from North Sumatra Break into Malaysian Market as Trade Minister Encourages SMEs to Go Global
Trade Minister Budi Santoso released nine tonnes of kepok bananas valued at approximately IDR 270 million for export to Malaysia on Friday. The release ceremony took place in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra.
The activity forms part of efforts to strengthen market access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Budi explained that the Ministry of Trade is implementing the “UMKM Bisa Ekspor” programme. This initiative coordinates export-oriented businesses through business matching or meetings with prospective foreign buyers.
“We hold business matching sessions every day. Micro, small, and medium enterprise operators present their products and we help them find buyers,” Budi said, accompanied by North Sumatra’s Deputy Governor Surya during the release ceremony on Friday (27 February 2026).
Nearly 70 per cent of SMEs participating in the business matching initiative had previously never broken into the export market.
Budi stated that the UMKM Bisa Ekspor programme serves as one instrument to maintain national economic circulation. The programme also expands the market for domestic products.
He invited regional governments to support the programme’s implementation so that SME operators can survive in the domestic market and compete in the global market.
North Sumatra’s Deputy Governor Surya viewed the export release to Malaysia as a sign of the region’s agricultural product competitiveness.
“This may be just one shipment, but it sends a strong message that North Sumatra’s agricultural products are capable of competing in the international market,” said Surya.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government continues to drive agricultural downstream integration. Added value is expected not to stop at raw commodities but to develop into processed products with higher economic value.
North Sumatra’s export performance in 2025 recorded USD 12.3 billion. This figure increased by approximately 14 per cent compared to the previous year.
Surya stated that this achievement reflects the hard work of farmers and business operators. Policy support was deemed to strengthen the region’s competitiveness.
The provincial government will continue to promote exports of flagship commodities sustainably. Agricultural downstream integration and agro-industry strengthening are conducted alongside the development of small industry and textile manufacturing hubs as centres of local economic growth.