BPS' Postponement Of Trade Balance Release Is Considered To Strengthen Indonesia's Image As A Protectionistic State

Import exports (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Economic Observer from Andalas University (Unand) Syafruddin Karimi assessed that the Central Statistics Agency (BPS)' decision to postpone the release of monthly export-import data strengthens Indonesia's negative reputation with the highest trade barriers in the world

Meanwhile, in the Trade Barrier Index (TBI) 2025 report, Indonesia ranks last from 122 countries, reflecting extreme levels of protectionism in various aspects of trade policy and low transparency of information.

According to Syafruddin, delays and temporary data deletion that are usually announced every mid-month creates uncertainty space among investors, business actors, and market analysts.

"When other countries are trying to increase openness and speed of economic information, Indonesia is actually taking steps back that are contrary to the principles of modern trade based on transparency and predictability," he said in his statement, Thursday, May 15.

Syafruddin said that the steps taken by BPS were not just technical changes, but reflected the mentality of the bureaucracy that was reluctant to be monitored by the public and did not place market needs as a priority.

According to him, the closedness of export and import data, which is the foundation of the trade balance and economic growth, will only strengthen international perceptions that Indonesia is not serious about opening up to global integration.

Syafruddin emphasized that if Indonesia wants to leave the stigma as a proteksionistic country, the first step that must be taken is to increase consistency, transparency, openness and accountability in the presentation of public data.

"Transparency is not a weakness, but a foundation of trust. When the data is hidden or postponed for no convincing technical reason, then the market's doubts will turn into the belief that something is being hidden. And that, is more detrimental than the deficit number itself," he concluded.