Trade Agreements Must Open Export Opportunities for MSMEs

A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VI, Sarifah Suraidah Harum, has stated that the acceleration of ratifying four international trade agreements must be a momentum to expand export opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to her, the ratification must be followed by a measurable implementation strategy so that the benefits can be felt by national business actors and industries. Sarifah explained that the completion of these trade agreements has the potential to increase the competitiveness of Indonesian products, attract quality investment, and open new markets amidst the dynamics and uncertainty of the global economy. “We hope that the results of accelerating Indonesia’s trade ratification with several friendly countries will be followed by a measurable implementation strategy so that the benefits are truly felt by the business world, MSME actors, and the wider community,” Sarifah said in a statement on Saturday (25/7/2026). Sarifah explained that strengthening trade cooperation with ASEAN countries, China, and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has the potential to expand market access for Indonesian products. According to her, the manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, plantation, and MSME sectors have the opportunity to increase exports, strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves, and create jobs. “On the other hand, the government also needs to anticipate increased competition from imported products through policies that can maintain the competitiveness of national industries in the domestic market,” said the Golkar Party legislator from the East Kalimantan electoral district. Sarifah said the benefits of the trade agreements would be optimal if the government strengthens the foundation of domestic industry by increasing productivity, logistics efficiency, simplifying licensing, accelerating trade digitalisation, and providing assistance to MSMEs. The government also needs to expand access to financing, certification, export promotion, and capacity building for business actors. “So that MSMEs are not just a complement in the international trade chain, but are able to appear as competitive main actors,” she said. Sarifah encouraged the government to immediately formulate a comprehensive implementation roadmap for the ratification of the trade agreements involving relevant ministries, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), local governments, business associations, and industry players. She said the success of a trade agreement is not only measured by the speed of the ratification process, but also by the magnitude of the benefits received by national business actors. “The ratification of the four international trade agreements must be a starting point to strengthen the competitiveness of the Indonesian economy in the global market,” she said. Sarifah said the government must ensure that every opportunity that opens can be utilised optimally through strengthening national industry, empowering MSMEs, simplifying regulations, increasing logistics efficiency, and collaboration between the government and the business world. “With directed and sustainable implementation, I am optimistic that this trade agreement will become a driving force for increasing exports, investment, industrial growth, and inclusive and competitive national economic growth,” she said. The four trade agreements being prepared for ratification include the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (Upgraded ATIGA), the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol (ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol), and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Food Security Reserve Arrangement (AFSRFA). These agreements are being prepared to expand Indonesia’s trade opportunities while strengthening the country’s position in regional and global supply chains.