Trade Minister Sets Year-End Export Growth Target, with a ‘New Weapon’
Trade Minister Budi Santoso has set a target for Indonesian exports to grow by 5.5%–6.5% by the end of 2026, as the country pursues growth amid continuing global trade barriers.
Budi said export performance remained positive. National exports rose 4.7% in the January–August 2026 period, according to the data.
“Global trade is facing many barriers at the moment. But we are optimistic, because our exports still rose by 4.7% from January to August. So we are quite optimistic,” Budi said at the 2026 Kadin National Leadership Meeting in Jakarta on Friday (30 October 2026).
He acknowledged that Indonesia’s trade performance had declined or moved into deficit in May and June. One factor was a rise in oil prices in March, whose effects were felt several months later.
“Oil prices were high in March, and that had an impact in May and June. Hopefully, by December we will meet our target of 5.5% to 6.5%,” he said.
As part of efforts to boost national exports, the government is also seeking to increase the contribution of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and help them enter international markets.
Budi said the Trade Ministry’s UMKM Bisa Ekspor (MSMEs Can Export) programme recorded US$360 million in transactions from January to September 2026.
That was up from US$134 million in transactions the previous year. About 60% of the MSMEs participating in the programme had never exported before.
“In 2025, or last year, the transaction value was US$134 million. Sixty per cent of those MSMEs had never exported. Now, from January to September 2026, the value has reached US$360 million,” Budi said.
Through the programme, the Trade Ministry helps MSMEs gain access to international buyers. The government draws on Indonesia’s overseas trade representatives, including trade attachés and Indonesian Trade Promotion Centres (ITPCs), to connect businesses with prospective buyers.
Budi said MSME operators need only present their products to Indonesian trade representatives. The government then helps find potential buyers in the target country.
“For example, MSMEs supported by Kadin or Himbara can make a presentation to our representatives—the trade attachés and ITPCs. The trade attachés and ITPCs then find buyers,” he said.
He encouraged more MSMEs, including those based in the regions, to use the programme to expand their products’ reach overseas.
“I hope Kadin members in the regions will take part. That is why I said earlier that I want to discuss practical matters: I am sure many people, especially those in the regions, are not aware of opportunities like this,” he said.