On Friday, May 9, 2025, Indonesian officials emphasized the importance of transforming rural areas into export villages to bolster the nation’s economy. Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto visited Kartasana Village in Pagelaran District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, highlighting its potential as an export hub. "Let’s realize the transformation towards export villages," he urged, pointing out that Kartasana is set to export goldfish, a move he considers a significant step forward.
During his visit, Yandri praised the village for successfully nurturing the Karya Bersama Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes), which has enabled it to embark on exporting goldfish. "Kartasana is extraordinary, and soon the raw materials for the Free Nutritious Meals program can be supplied from here," he added, indicating the village's growing role in national food security.
Yandri's visit coincided with a broader initiative from the Ministry of Villages, which has outlined 12 action plans aimed at fostering development from the ground up and addressing poverty across Indonesia. Among these plans is the drive to create more export villages, with Kartasana serving as a model for future projects.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso announced that Indonesia is actively seeking new export markets to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. Speaking in Padang on the same day, he stated, "Because we are faced with a trade war, we must seek other markets through negotiations."
Budi highlighted the recent export of 9.3 tons of tuna from PT Dempo Andalas Sumatera to the United Arab Emirates, valued at Rp1.87 billion, as a testament to Indonesia's efforts to expand its reach in international markets. He noted that the government is currently negotiating trade agreements with various countries, including an imminent signing with Tunisia and the completion of discussions with Canada.
These negotiations are part of a strategic plan to increase exports by 7.1 percent by 2026, targeting multiple sectors, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM). Budi emphasized that the aim is to ensure that a portion of exports includes UMKM products, which he believes have competitive potential in the global market.
As of April 2025, the value of export transactions from UMKM reached US$51.7 million, equivalent to Rp851.5 billion, according to Budi. This figure stems from the Ministry of Trade’s business matching program, which has engaged approximately 340 UMKM, many of which are new exporters venturing into international sales for the first time.
Budi noted that the success of these UMKM in exporting diverse products, including fashion, beauty items, and handicrafts, demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of Indonesian goods on the global stage. "The products that succeeded in exporting within the business matching program are not all well-known; many are making their first export attempt," he said.
In a bid to further empower local businesses, the Ministry of Trade has launched the Gerakan Kamis Pakai Lokal (Gaspol) initiative, which requires all ministry employees to wear local products every Thursday. Budi expressed hope that this initiative would extend to other government agencies and encourage a greater appreciation for local goods among the public. "We start with all ministry employees, but we hope everyone will wear local products from Monday to Sunday," he stated.
As the government pushes for these initiatives, the collaboration between local communities and the central government is seen as crucial for achieving success in transforming rural areas into vibrant export centers. The focus on creating export villages like Kartasana not only aims to enhance economic growth but also to improve the livelihoods of residents in these areas.
With the ongoing efforts to establish trade agreements and support for UMKM, Indonesia is positioning itself to navigate the challenges posed by global economic shifts. The combined initiatives from Mendes PDT and the Ministry of Trade illustrate a comprehensive approach to fostering economic resilience and sustainability in the face of external pressures.
As these developments unfold, the Indonesian government remains optimistic about the future of its export sector, with increasing emphasis on innovation and quality in local products. The success of initiatives like the Gaspol movement and the transformation of villages into export hubs could pave the way for a more robust and diversified economy.
