Minister of Trade Reminds of Consumers' Role in Boosting Competitiveness of Local Products

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Trade Budi Santoso has reminded of the importance of consumers’ role in promoting the improved competitiveness of Indonesian local products. “One role of consumers is how we utilise domestic production well, but with the condition that the production or products have competitiveness,” said Budi during the National Consumer Day (Harkonas) 2026 celebration in Jakarta on Sunday. “Now, who can make these products competitive? One of them is the consumer, because consumers control both products and services; everything can be controlled by consumers,” he added. With smart consumers, he believes local producers will be spurred to create good products. Furthermore, it is hoped that with competitive products, the influx of imported products can be curbed. “If consumers understand which products are good and which are not, producers will automatically be controlled to produce competitive products. If products already have competitiveness, then we can hold back the pace of imports,” he said. The man, also familiarly called Busan, stated that consumer protection must go hand in hand with the protection of local producers so that Indonesia’s trade ecosystem can run well. “We continue to collaborate with related stakeholders and business actors. If we are to protect consumers, we cannot leave out producers, because we must go together; we cannot walk alone,” said Budi. Therefore, he believes collaboration from related stakeholders, from government, business actors, to society, is also needed to protect that ecosystem. “If producers can provide good services and good products, they will surely get better. When we have competitiveness, producers also benefit, not just consumers. So both sides run together; collaboration is needed between producers, consumers, and all related institutions,” he said.