“Our exports must contribute to economic growth. We will continue to develop them,” Trade Minister Budi Santoso said, responding to the IMF’s latest projection that Indonesia’s economy will grow by 4.9 percent in both 2025 and 2026.
He said the country’s export performance remains strong, with exports growing 7.7 percent between January and August 2025, compared with the same period last year.
The trade surplus also widened significantly, jumping 53.3 percent from $19 billion to $29 billion during the same period, Santoso added.
Indonesia has maintained a trade surplus for 64 consecutive months since 2020.
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The IMF’s revised forecast, published in its October 2025 World Economic Outlook, reflects updated budget figures and medium-term projections for nominal gross domestic product (GDP), taking into account government spending and revenue policies.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said separately that Indonesia could achieve even stronger growth in the final quarter of the year, reaching as high as 5.67 percent, helped by increased household consumption and fiscal stimulus.
“If additional stimulus is announced, we could see growth of 5.67 percent or slightly higher in the fourth quarter,” he said at a Tuesday briefing on state budget performance.
Purbaya noted that improved liquidity, supported by the placement of state funds in state-owned banks, is helping to drive domestic spending and stabilize the economy.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is seeking to balance export-driven growth with domestic consumption amid global economic uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.
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Translator: Maria, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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