Indonesia Expands Fishery Exports Through Border Regions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Exports of Indonesian fishery products from border regions continue to expand market access, with Malaysia and Timor‑Leste serving as the main destinations.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) reported that exports from Entikong, West Kalimantan, to Malaysia reached 580 metric tons, valued at IDR 20 billion (approximately USD 1.11 million), from January through August 2026. The Ministry aims to ensure that fisheries trade activities in border regions continue to grow.

Acting Head of the Agency for Quality Control and Supervision of Marine and Fisheries Products (the Ministry’s Quality Agency), Ishartini, said the Ministry continues to encourage the export of fishery products to neighboring countries through border crossings.

“With the Fisheries Product Quality and Safety Certificate (SMKHP), market access is maintained, enabling Fish Processing Units (FPUs) to employ more than 170 local workers in border areas near the International Border Crossing Points (PLBN) with Timor‑Leste and Sarawak, Malaysia,” Ishartini said in Jakarta on Monday, September 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She said quality certification plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth flow of cross‑border trade. The Quality Agency’s Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) in Entikong issued 219 SMKHPs from January through August.

The certificate ensures that fishery products meet sanitation, hygiene, and food safety standards before being shipped to destination countries. The Ministry is also coordinating with competent authorities in neighboring countries to ensure that SMKHPs support export processes for businesses operating along the border.

Beyond West Kalimantan, the Ministry is also strengthening fishery exports from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to Timor‑Leste. Fishery exports from the NTT border region reached IDR 18 billion throughout 2025.

The Quality Agency’s Work Unit in NTT issued 676 SMKHPs to local businesses to support cross‑border fisheries trade. Export commodities include anchovies, caesio, sea catfish, red snapper, white snapper, grouper, houndfish, parrotfish, emperor fish, and goatfish.

The Ministry assesses that strengthening fishery exports at border regions can expand markets for Indonesian products and stimulate economic activity among local communities. PLBNs serve as strategic routes for increasing trade with Malaysia and Timor‑Leste.

With exports from Entikong reaching IDR 20 billion in eight months and NTT border exports valued at IDR 18 billion in 2025, the government continues to promote border regions as gateways for Indonesian fishery products into regional markets. ***