Jakarta – Indonesia can leverage the global economic reset to strengthen the quality of its trade balance and, in turn, generate greater benefits for the country, according to Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza.

 

Referring to countries currently reassessing their trade ties, such as the United States and China, he noted that Indonesia can take advantage of this shift by filling market gaps in countries experiencing economic pressure due to global changes.

 

One way to capitalize on this opportunity and enhance Indonesia’s trade balance, he suggested, is by boosting export-driven industries, such as food and beverages.

 

“In my opinion, the food and beverage industry is one of our leading sectors, capable of meeting global food and beverage supply needs. Hopefully, this will also be supported by sufficient raw materials,” Riza said on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

 

A researcher at the Center for Macroeconomics and Finance of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Ragimun, stated that to maintain a healthy national trade balance, the government must diversify non-oil and gas processed products and explore new export markets.

 

He cited Indonesia’s trade balance, which recorded a surplus of US$3.12 billion in February 2025, although this figure declined from US$3.45 billion in the previous month.

 

He described this as a positive sign of progress for the domestic non-oil and gas processing sector.

 

“Yes, the surplus is good, especially in the non-oil and gas sector. However, our export destinations are usually the same—primarily the US, China, or India,” he said.

 

Anang Fadhilah/rls