Support MSMEs To Reach Global Market, Ministry Of Trade Inaugurates Balikpapan And Batam Export Centers

The Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Santoso. (Special)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Budi Santoso simultaneously inaugurated the Balikpapan and Batam Export Centers centered in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. This step is an effort to strengthen the national export ecosystem, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The two Export Centers are under the coordination of the Directorate General of National Export Development which functions as an integrated export service in the regions. This service includes consultation of export procedures, standardization, legality, access to financing, dissemination of demand (inquiry) from prospective international buyers. Including business matching facilitation, as well as socialization of the use of international trade agreements.

The Balikpapan Export Center will serve the Kalimantan region, while the Batam Export Center covers the Sumatra region. This service complements the existence of Export Centers that have been running previously in Surabaya, East Java and Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"In addition to strengthening the national export ecosystem, this inauguration also marks the government's commitment to expanding global market access and encouraging export-based national economic transformation," Budi said in an official statement, Friday, August 1.

Budi emphasized that MSMEs have an important role in the economy. He also said that Indonesian MSME products have the opportunity to be accepted by the global market, because they have characteristics that other countries do not have.

"With the support of sustainable coaching, curation and promotion, I believe Indonesian MSMEs can become the main players in the world's export market," said Budi.

Budi also said that the Export Center is an important node to realize the Ministry of Trade's flagship program, namely MSMEs Dare to Innovation Ready for Export Adaptation (BISA).

MSMEs that want exports must have high innovation and competitiveness. Their products must be good, the supply chain is maintained, and are able to adapt to global market demand," he said.

From January to July 2025, the MSME program Bisa Export has facilitated nearly 800 MSMEs in business matching activities and generated export transaction potential of US$90.04 million or around Rp1.4 trillion.

"The majority of MSMEs have never exported before, and all transactions are carried out online through direct assistance from representatives of Indonesia's trade abroad," explained Budi.

To support the MSME Program for Export, MSMEs can take advantage of 46 trade representatives in 33 countries consisting of the Trade Attache and the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC). This representative is tasked with helping market Indonesian MSME products.

"Export Center acts as curation and assistance, while foreign representatives find potential buyers, bridge the negotiation process, to the implementation of business matching," he explained.

In addition, Budi also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Export Center and local governments to select and develop export-oriented MSMEs, especially non-oil and gas products.

"The Balikpapan Export Center is expected to become a regional export development center and expand its reach through export extensioners in districts and cities in East Kalimantan," he said.