West Java Trade Surplus Driven by Five Key Export Categories in Early 2026

Bandung (ANTARA) - The West Java Department of Industry and Trade (Indag) has revealed that five export commodity groups, ranging from machinery to textiles, have driven a positive trade balance for West Java between January and April 2026.

“Our trade position is good for January–April, recording a surplus of almost 9 billion US dollars. Our exports are dominated by five types: vehicles and their parts, electrical and mechanical machinery, knitwear, footwear, and rubber goods,” said the Head of the West Java Department of Industry and and Trade, Nining Yulistiani, in Bandung on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, Nining admitted that her department is closely monitoring the movement of imports for raw and supporting materials in the manufacturing sector. This is to anticipate any decline in industrial productivity, given that almost all raw materials for West Java’s five leading export commodities must be imported.

This monitoring, Nining stated, is intended to prevent production drops that could have widespread effects, including the potential to trigger waves of layoffs (PHK).

“We are concerned about that. Currently, we are still in a safe position with no significant changes. Our import position in April was 1.1 billion US dollars, which so far is not much different from previous months. However, we need to keep a close watch on this,” said Nining.

Regarding the Rupiah, Nining explained that fluctuations in the domestic currency exchange rate are highly sensitive to the production utility of factories in West Java, most of which still rely on overseas component supplies. If import restrictions persist for a long period, the chain reaction could directly impact the labour sector.

“The connection could eventually lower industrial productivity levels, which may impact the workforce, production, and so on,” Nining added.