Prabowo Vows Easier Export Access to Spur Growth

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto pledges to ease export access and simplify regulations on Friday, Feb 13, 2026 in Jakarta to accelerate economic activity as global uncertainty persists, a move expected to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness and growth outlook. He says the government will open more seaports and airports for direct export and streamline rules to reduce business costs.

He delivered the remarks at the Indonesia Economic Outlook 2026 forum held at Wisma Danantara, attended by ministers, ambassadors, business associations, banks, state-owned enterprises, rating agencies, fund managers, economists, academics, and media representatives. The forum served as a strategic platform to align policy direction and market expectations.

"We will make exports easier, open ports and airports for direct export, and simplify regulations to stimulate economic activity," Prabowo said.

Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto reported that non-oil and gas exports grew 7.66% in 2025, positioning external demand as a key pillar toward the government’s 8% growth ambition. He said crude palm oil and its derivatives expanded 27.94% with a 12.73% share of total exports, while iron and steel rose 8.41% with a 10.37% share.

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Manufacturing exports contributed 10.77% to total export value and grew 14.47% during the year. Exports to China increased 7.11% with a 24.02% share, while shipments to the United States climbed 16.66% with an 11.47% share despite tariff policy shifts under President Donald Trump.

"Our non-oil exports remain a vital driver of economic growth, expanding strongly by 7.66% in 2025. Exports to the United States even grew more than 16% amid evolving tariff dynamics," Airlangga said.

From the business community, Indonesian Employers Association chair Shinta W. Kamdani welcomed the government’s economic policy packages but warned that logistics costs remained uncompetitive. She described the issue as part of a persistent high-cost economy that undermined efficiency.

"This is part of what we call a high-cost economy," Shinta said. She added that businesses were ready to cooperate with the government but required consistent deregulation and regulatory certainty.

She said structural reforms such as debottlenecking, deregulation, permit simplification, and logistics efficiency were essential to boost export competitiveness beyond trade agreements. She noted that bureaucratic inconsistencies at the implementation level often diluted reform intent.

Prabowo’s presence at the forum underscored the administration’s effort to maintain economic optimism amid geopolitical tensions and global policy volatility. The government aimed to use the momentum to strengthen exports, attract investment, and create quality jobs.