Removing export barriers for Indonesian products is the government's commitment in an effort to make it easier to enter international markets.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, is committed to continuing to support business actors, especially exporters, with policies on removing export barriers for Indonesian products in an effort to make it easier entering international markets.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan expressed his commitment to removing export barriers when opening the Indonesian Export Entrepreneurs Association’s 1^st National Working Meeting in Jakarta on Monday.

"The task of the Ministry of Trade is to support exporters. Therefore, export regulations must be simplified, so that nothing hinders Indonesia's economic growth. If there are export obstacles, just report them," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said.

The trade minister is grateful as Indonesia's trade balance experienced a surplus of 54.53 billion U.S. dollars throughout 2022. The surplus value increased 19.11 billion dollars or 54 percent from that in the previous year.

This achievement is the contribution of national exporters. Throughout 2022, exports contributed as much as 292 billion dollars, up 26 percent from those in the previous year and significantly supporting Indonesia's trade balance surplus.

"The success of achieving a surplus for two consecutive years, and even in 2022, Indonesia's exports are the highest in history because of the endeavor of exporters. Therefore, I am proud and grateful," he noted.

Zulkifli also supports the export of value-added products, particularly for agricultural and creative industrial products. Agro commodities, including agricultural products, must be developed to obtain added value so as to improve the welfare of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"We have to think one step further to process agro-industry products so that they have added value. Meanwhile, for creative products, we have to build an ecosystem so that creative industries, including MSMEs, develop," the minister said.

He added that the government will continue to open markets so that export products are increasingly accepted in global markets, especially new markets such as South Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, among others by promoting trade agreements with partner countries.

“One key word is collaboration and cooperation among central and regional governments as well as business actors and their associations,” the minister added.

Reporting by Indonesia Window