Indonesia’s New Export Gatekeeper Seen Boosting Global Bargaining Power

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The establishment of Indonesia’s latest state‑owned enterprise (BUMN), PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI), is being positioned as a powerful tool to tighten oversight of commodity exports and ensure foreign exchange earnings stay at home.

Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Esther Sri Astuti, said DSI’s presence could strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining position in global markets while increasing export proceeds for the national economy.

DSI is a newly established BUMN mandated to act as the sole exporter of Indonesia’s strategic natural resource commodities such as coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and ferroalloys.

Esther explained that DSI was created to integrate export data, curb under‑invoicing, and safeguard foreign exchange earnings domestically. “The goal is clear: integrate export data, reduce under‑invoicing, and keep export earnings within the country,” Esther noted in Jakarta on Friday, August 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

If managed with sound governance, she added, DSI could deliver multiple benefits. Beyond enhancing Indonesia’s leverage in international trade, it could also provide more accurate trade data, allowing the government to monitor foreign exchange flows more effectively.

“As a large single entity, a state‑owned enterprise has stronger bargaining power in setting prices and export volumes globally,” she said.

Still, Esther cautioned that challenges remain. Operating as a national‑scale intermediary requires substantial capital and complex systems. Transparency and efficiency, she stressed, must be prioritized to avoid bureaucratic hurdles that could discourage foreign importers.

DSI’s mandate, as outlined by CEO Rosan Roeslani, is to strengthen visibility in Indonesia’s strategic commodity ecosystem, improve understanding of export transactions, and optimize value for the national economy.

“Indonesia has abundant natural resources, but resources alone are not enough. We need stronger governance, better visibility, and more accountable systems to ensure these commodities generate maximum value for the nation,” Rosan said. ***