The government is pursuing trade policies that leverage bilateral and regional trade agreements to expand export markets while boosting the global competitiveness of national micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Santoso said in a statement.
"To support this strategy, we are striving to enhance the competitiveness of our business players, especially MSMEs, and strengthen their integration into global value chains," Santoso added.
He expressed optimism that these initiatives would drive higher bilateral trade, which reached US$17.7 billion in 2025.
As ASEAN's two largest economies, Santoso noted, Indonesia and Thailand are strategic economic partners with both the opportunity and responsibility to lead regional economic integration.
Despite global economic uncertainties driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments, and climate change, Santoso maintained that Indonesia retains strong growth prospects.
"Indonesia's vast domestic market, demographic bonus, and abundant natural resources position it as a strategic hub for production, investment, and exports," he said.
He added that Jakarta remains committed to industrial downstreaming, food security, sustainable development, and global market expansion to maintain its competitive edge in the region.
Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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