Trade Ministry: DEFA Opens Opportunities for MSMEs to Grow Through Digitalisation
Tangerang Selatan (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Trade considers the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) an opportunity for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to grow through the use of digital technology.
Nugraheni Prasetya Hastuti, Director of ASEAN Negotiations at the Ministry’s Directorate General of International Trade Negotiations, said Indonesia and other ASEAN countries were working to make the digital economy inclusive, particularly for MSMEs, which underpin the region’s economy.
“DEFA is a digital economy agreement that, among other things, will make it easier for MSMEs to transact, because digital payment systems will be interoperable,” Nugraheni said on the sidelines of Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 at ICE BSD City in South Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.
She said DEFA was scheduled to be formally signed in November 2026, during the 49th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Manila, the Philippines.
For Indonesia, DEFA is aligned with the implementation of the National Digital Economy Strategy 2030 and supports its accession to the OECD. The strategy and accession process cover strengthening digital infrastructure, developing digital skills, transforming MSMEs and reinforcing cybersecurity regulations.
Through DEFA, Indonesia is expected to strengthen policies based on international practices, attract investment in high-technology sectors, reinforce national data sovereignty and build an inclusive and competitive digital ecosystem, including for MSMEs.
“DEFA will be signed in November. Of course, signing it does not mean the process is over; that is when the game starts. It means the government must prepare to support MSMEs,” Nugraheni said.
She added that the digital economy and digital trade ecosystem involved many elements, including the readiness of supporting technology and human resources, access to financing and the banking sector.
Nugraheni said the benefits of the digital economy would be felt when people could develop their capabilities to broaden market access and improve competitiveness.
“The benefits are substantial when you can use digital technology amid global economic uncertainty and the growing use of technology and AI [artificial intelligence],” she said.