Trade Minister Budi Promotes Export-Oriented Investment Realisation
The Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, has expressed the importance of strengthening Indonesian trade as a driver for the influx of export-oriented investment. According to him, strengthening trade through the expansion of export markets will create new investment opportunities that support the increase of Indonesia’s production capacity.
Consequently, wider access to Indonesian export markets will further enhance investor attractiveness, positioning Indonesia as a production base and a key part of the global supply chain. This was stated by Minister Budi when opening the Asian Trade, Tourism, and Economics Council (ATTEC) Global Investment Forum in Jakarta on Friday (18/9). The event is part of the Jakarta International Investment, Trade, Tourism, and SMEs Expo (JITEX) 2026, held from 16–19 September 2026.
“Trade agreements do not only facilitate trade, but also enable investment. If trade runs well, investment will follow. The Ministry of Trade is opening investment as widely as possible through various trade agreements,” Minister Budi stated in an official statement on Friday (18/9/2026).
He noted that opportunities to strengthen investment through trade can be pursued, one way being through business forums such as ATTEC. He hopes that meetings between business actors, trade partners, and investors can result in cooperation that strengthens trade while simultaneously driving investment realisation.
“When many export opportunities are open, investment will naturally arrive, especially regarding export-oriented investment,” said Minister Budi.
The Minister explained that Indonesia currently has 25 implemented trade agreements, while two agreements are in the ratification process and 13 are still under negotiation. Trade agreements with partner countries serve as instruments to expand market access and provide certainty for the business world in developing trade and investment activities.
In line with efforts to expand trade, the Ministry of Trade is also encouraging more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the global market, notably through the MSME Bold in Innovation, Ready to Adapt to Export Program (UMKM BISA Ekspor).
Through this programme, the Ministry of Trade provides facilitation ranging from product curation, searching for and meeting buyers through business matching, design assistance, to support from Indonesian trade representatives in export destination countries. From January to August 2026, the UMKM BISA Ekspor programme recorded an export transaction value of US$347 million, most of which involved MSMEs that had never exported before.
Minister Budi also invited business actors, including MSMEs participating in JITEX, to utilise the Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2026, scheduled for 14–18 October 2026. He emphasised that TEI serves as a momentum for exporters, including MSMEs, to expand their markets and find trade partners.
In addition to promoting exports, the Ministry of Trade is also expanding MSME access to the domestic market through cooperation with modern retail. The Ministry facilitates MSME products that meet quality and competitiveness requirements to enter modern retail networks, ensuring wider and more sustainable market access.
“For the domestic market, the Ministry of Trade is working with the Indonesian Retailers and Shopping Centre Tenants Association (HIPPINDO). Many of our local products are already sold in modern retail. The requirement is that products must be high-quality and competitive. If the products meet the standards, HIPPINDO is ready to accommodate all of your products,” said Minister Budi.
On the other hand, the General Chairman of HIPPINDO, Budihardjo Iduansjah, stated that the ATTEC Global Investment Forum is a concrete step to bring together trade, tourism, investment, and MSMEs. He noted that collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Government is also part of the effort to support Jakarta as a global city for trade and investment.
“All of this refers to trade. Trade will increase the economy of Jakarta in particular and Indonesia in general,” said Budi.
Budi added that HIPPINDO, together with ATTEC, continues to open investment cooperation opportunities, including with foreign investors interested in developing businesses in Jakarta and Indonesia. He mentioned that the potential development of special economic zones and industrial estates can go hand-in-hand with the provision of worker housing to support efficient mobility and economic activity.