Palm Oil and Coal Entrepreneurs Speak Out on Single-Door Export Policy

Chairman of the Indonesian Nickel Industry Forum, Arif Perdana Kusumah, stated that cross-sector business associations have sent a letter to the government regarding the export policy through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). “We have sent a letter and provided several recommendations,” Arif said during a discussion session at the Tempo building in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The statement was made during a discussion held by Tempo Inti Media Impresario entitled “Single-Door Export and the Future of the National Palm Oil and Mining Industries”.

Arif explained that entrepreneurs have formed a cross-sector association specifically to provide input to the government. In addition to having met several times with DSI representatives to convey their recommendations, the association has also written to the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

One of the six recommendations submitted is a request that the government not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. Arif noted that each strategic commodity, such as nickel, palm oil, and coal, has different characteristics, making it important to have more detailed regulations for each commodity. Furthermore, businesses are requesting a roadmap that can be monitored by foreign investors.

Entrepreneurs also hope for legal certainty and protection for ongoing contracts. He cited the example of a hydrometallurgical project for battery production requiring capital of US$2 billion, noting that large projects generally require conditions such as guaranteed export rights and an off-taker. Another recommendation is that the single-door export mechanism should not be viewed by other countries as a monopolistic policy. “This is a concern for the industrial world,” he said, especially given Indonesia’s trade cooperation through FTAs and the WTO.

Further recommendations include clarity on DSI’s role and business model. Arif stated that businesses need transparency on whether DSI acts as a verifier, aggregator, or a party within the transaction. If it indeed acts as the transacting party, he noted, this would imply a transfer of ownership. Another point is clarity on the currency and payment mechanism, as entrepreneurs have historically used US dollars in transactions. The final recommendation is the hope that the single-door export mechanism will simplify licensing, rather than adding bureaucracy or lengthening the coordination chain. Arif explained that the trade ecosystem is relatively long and complex, spanning from bidding, buyer determination, and customs, through to shipping.