The Indonesian government is intensifying the export of various non-oil and gas products, including agricultural and forestry products, which are major export commodities after mineral fuel, fats and oils, iron and steel, metal ores, and footwear. The Ministry of Trade has implemented strategic measures, including policy relaxations, to boost export performance, as emphasized by Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga during his visit to CV Sono Putro in Klaten, Central Java. The relaxation of policies is seen as a solution to encourage export growth, especially in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Efforts to increase exports, particularly in agricultural and forestry products, are deemed essential by stakeholders. The Ministry of Trade has issued regulations related to technical verification in foreign trade and export policies in the forestry industry. The relaxation includes an extended period for the maximum cross-sectional size for wood products such as S4S (surfaced on 4 sides), E2E (eased 2 edges), and E4 (eased 4 edges), allowing a larger cross-sectional size to be exported from July 15, 2023, to July 14, 2024. Additionally, subsidies for handling Surveyor Reports (LS) are provided to micro and small businesses (UKM).
Technical verification or tracing by designated independent surveyors, such as PT Sucofindo, is required for forestry industry products destined for export to ensure compliance with applicable technical criteria. Key export destinations for Indonesian forestry industry products include China, the United States, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Strengthening export facilitation and information, including export promotion, business matching, and trade enhancement in target export markets, is crucial for achieving sustainable and systematic export performance. Trade representatives in various countries can play an active role in promoting Indonesian export commodities.
