RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Trade is launching a series of priority programs to strengthen Indonesia’s national trade performance amid rising global volatility.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the initiatives are designed to enhance the competitiveness of local products while expanding Indonesia’s presence in international markets. “Current trade conditions face many dynamics. Foreign markets present many escalating challenges that we must face,” Budi stated during the 2026 Indonesia Economic Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

To reinforce the domestic market, the Ministry is prioritizing improvements in local product quality to reduce import penetration. Budi noted that the strategy has shown results, with approximately 80 percent of products in modern retail outlets now supplied by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The strength of domestic consumption was further demonstrated by major national shopping programs in 2025. The EPIC Sale generated nearly IDR 55 trillion in transactions, followed by Harbolnas (National Online Shopping Day) with IDR 36.4 trillion, and the BINA Great Sale Indonesia with IDR 31 trillion.

On the international front, Indonesia is pursuing broader market access through trade agreements. In 2025, the Ministry concluded five major deals, including the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and agreements with Canada, Peru, the Eurasian Economic Union, and Tunisia.

Indonesia has now implemented 20 trade agreements, with 15 awaiting ratification and 11 still under negotiation. To support these efforts, the Ministry deploys 46 trade representatives in 33 countries to assist small and medium-sized businesses.

A central pillar of Minister Budi’s vision is democratizing exports. Through the UMKM BISA Ekspor (MSMEs Dare to Innovate, Ready to Adapt) program, the Ministry facilitated business matching for more than 1,200 entrepreneurs in 2025, resulting in USD 134.87 million in transactions. 

“We want exporters to be more than just large businesses. Medium and small businesses must also be able to export,” Budi emphasized, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making global trade accessible to all Indonesian enterprises. ***