Minister of Trade Budi Santoso officially inaugurated the export of nine tons of "kepok keling" bananas from Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra, to the Malaysian market. This export shipment, valued at approximately IDR 270 million, serves as a significant milestone in expanding the international reach of Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through the "UMKM Bisa Ekspor" program, the Ministry of Trade actively facilitates business matching to connect local producers with potential overseas buyers. This initiative is designed to ensure that high-quality agricultural products from regional farmers can compete effectively on a global scale.
The program has already empowered over 1,200 SMEs, generating a cumulative export value of USD 134.8 million through strategic market interventions. Minister Santoso highlighted that nearly 70 percent of participants are first-time exporters, reflecting the program's success in lowering barriers to international trade. North Sumatra's Deputy Governor Surya added that this achievement underscores the competitive edge of the province's agricultural sector and its commitment to maintaining production continuity. Looking forward, the government will continue to prioritize downstreaming efforts to transform raw commodities into value-added products that yield higher economic returns.
