An economist from the Center of Economics and Law Studies (Celios), Nailul Huda, emphasises that Indonesia’s export strategy should move beyond raw commodities and shift toward goods with higher added value. He argues that relying on commodity exports poses a substantial risk: when global commodity prices fall, trade surpluses and foreign exchange reserves can shrink. He highlights that the country already achieved a 65-month trade surplus streak through September 2025, with processed industries contributing significantly, highlighting the potential benefits of higher-value exports.
Huda points out that boosting exports of medium- and high-technology products is critical for long-term trade resilience and economic stability. Indonesia’s trade data show that between January and September 2025, exports reached around USD 209.8 billion, imports about USD 176.3 billion, yielding a cumulative surplus of roughly USD 33.5 billion. The bulk of exports came from processed industry (USD 167.85 billion), underscoring that moving up the value chain supports broader trade health and shields the economy from commodity price swings.
