RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Ministry of Trade, through the Directorate General of National Export Development (PEN), held a coordination forum to boost export potential in various regions of Indonesia. The event, titled “Regional-Based Export Development Program Coordination Forum for Kalimantan, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara,” was held online on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The forum was attended by heads of agencies in charge of trade, businesses ready to export, and potential exporters from the regions of Kalimantan, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. The Director General of PEN at the Ministry of Trade, Fajarini Puntodewi, said the forum aimed to align national-scale export development programs with the potential and needs of each region.

She noted that the central government, local governments, and businesses must work together to develop targeted export policies that will have a greater impact on increasing exports. A number of suggestions from local governments have been taken into account.

“This coordination forum serves as a space for dialogue to listen, exchange information, and formulate joint steps to boost exports from the regions. We have gathered a number of inputs from local governments and business actors to design export development programs that are increasingly targeted,” Puntodewi said following the forum, as quoted from the ministry’s written press release.

Puntodewi noted that export development can no longer be approached with a one-size-fits-all strategy across all regions of Indonesia. Local governments must take into account the varying dynamics of export needs in each region. Therefore, export development strategies must also be tailored to the specific needs of different regions.

“Each region has distinct economic characteristics, potential flagship commodities, levels of business readiness, and unique challenges. A region-based approach is becoming increasingly important so that government programs can accommodate the export needs of all regions in Indonesia. This will ultimately have a tangible impact on increasing exports,” she said.

At the forum, representatives of local governments and business operators highlighted various challenges they frequently face. Some of these include improving product quality, meeting the standards of export destination countries, strengthening promotional efforts, gaining access to international buyers, and the need for mentoring for new exporters.