Indonesia Strengthens Port Links to Secure IMT‑GT Supply Chains

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is strengthening its port connectivity agenda within the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT‑GT) cooperation, with a focus on maintaining trade flows and anticipating disruptions to regional supply chains.

Deputy for Economic Cooperation and Investment Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Edi Prio Pambudi, said port connectivity must be part of the strategy to reinforce supply chains. “Regional supply chains are no longer merely straight lines on a map, but rather ‘arteries of life’ that open up real economic opportunities for subregional communities,” Edi said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that reliance on major shipping routes increases risks to economic activity when disruptions occur. “When major shipping routes such as the Malacca Strait experience slowdowns, the impact is immediately felt by the subregional economy,” he said.

Indonesia is therefore promoting an approach that goes beyond physical infrastructure development. Strengthening port corridors aims to ensure logistics networks can continue supporting trade and the economic activities of local communities.

This agenda is part of the evaluation of the IMT‑GT Implementation Blueprint (IB) for 2022–2026. The results will serve as the foundation for drafting the 2027–2031 IB, including efforts to strengthen connectivity resilience in the region.

Indonesia is also expanding collaboration with development partners, particularly the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB’s support has included capacity building, assistance for green cities, and contributions to drafting the 2027–2031 IB.

The government has requested that information on ADB facilities and programs be disseminated more effectively to local administrations, enabling them to utilize development support within IMT‑GT projects.

The 33rd IMT‑GT Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) was part of the 32nd IMT‑GT Ministerial Meeting held on September 7–10 in Medan, North Sumatra. The forum also marked the handover of the IMT‑GT SOM chairmanship from Thailand to Indonesia.

In this leadership role, Indonesia can advance a more strategic connectivity agenda. Strengthening ports and diversifying supply chains are key to maintaining IMT‑GT trade resilience amid potential disruptions to regional logistics routes. ***