Trade Minister releases nine-tonne export of kepok banana to Malaysia
Medan – Trade Minister Budi Santoso formally released an export shipment of nine tonnes of kepok banana valued at approximately 270 million rupiah to Malaysia in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra, on Friday, as part of efforts to strengthen market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Budi stated that the Ministry of Trade is implementing the “UMKM Bisa Ekspor” (SMEs Can Export) programme to coordinate export-oriented businesses through business matching sessions with prospective foreign buyers.
“Every day there are business matching sessions. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises present their products and we help them find buyers,” Budi said, accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya during the export release event.
According to Budi, approximately 1,200 SMEs have registered export transactions through the programme, with a total value reaching 134.8 million US dollars. He added that nearly 70 per cent of SMEs participating in business matching had never previously engaged in exports.
The UMKM Bisa Ekspor programme, he continued, serves as one of the instruments to maintain national economic circulation whilst expanding the market for domestic products. Budi called on regional governments to support the programme so that SMEs can survive in the domestic market and compete in the global marketplace.
“This may be one shipment, but it sends a strong message that the agricultural products of North Sumatra farmers are capable of competing in the international market,” said Surya.
Maintaining Quality
Surya emphasised that exporting is not merely about sending goods abroad, but also maintaining quality, production continuity, quality standards, and the trust of trading partners.
The North Sumatra provincial government continues to encourage agricultural downstream development so that value addition does not stop at raw commodities but instead develops into processed products with higher economic value.
Surya noted that North Sumatra’s export performance in 2025 reached 12.3 billion US dollars, an increase of approximately 14 per cent compared to the previous year. He stated that this achievement reflects the hard work of farmers, business operators, and the support of appropriate policies in strengthening the region’s competitiveness.
The provincial government, Surya said, will continue to promote exports of leading commodities sustainably, strengthen agricultural and agro-industrial downstream development, and develop small industry and garment centres as drivers of local economic growth.