Indonesia launched its largest international trade exhibition, Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2026, on October 14 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City in Tangerang Regency, Banten. The event, organized by PT Debindomulti Adhiswasti (Debindo) and hosted by the Ministry of Trade, aims to position the country as a primary global sourcing hub through a strategy of industrialization and the “downstreaming” of natural resources, ANTARA News reported.
This event aligns with the government’s promotion of downstreaming and industrialization to increase the added value of Indonesia’s natural resources under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. The stakes are high: the Ministry of Trade is targeting potential transactions worth $17.5 billion during the event, which runs through October 18, 2026.
Bahlil Lahadalia pushes for industrial self-reliance
Opening the event on behalf of President Subianto, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia framed the exhibition as a strategic step toward becoming an advanced nation. He argued that the optimal management of natural resources is a strategic step to strengthening national economic resilience.
PRODUK LOKAL SIAP NAIK KELAS KE PASAR GLOBAL!Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) ke-41 hadir pada 14–18 Oktober 2026 di BSD City, Tangerang. Sebanyak 35 ekshibitor furnitur, dekorasi, dan kriya siap membawa karya Indonesia ke panggung dunia! pic.twitter.com/z5GVOSOXNb
“The Government is promoting high value-added exports through the downstreaming and industrialization of natural resources. Downstreaming is key to increasing the added value of Indonesia’s natural resources while strengthening national economic self-reliance,” said Minister Bahlil.
Trade targets and the expansion into non-traditional markets
The scale of the 2026 expo reflects strong enthusiasm from international buyers and exhibition visitors. Minister of Trade Budi Santoso reported that 1,873 exhibitors and buyers from 134 different countries registered by the opening day. The event’s immediate impact was seen in the signing of 168 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Indonesian exporters and buyers from 22 countries on day one alone.
While traditional partners remain important, Indonesia is aggressively courting “non-traditional” markets. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan pointed specifically to South Asia and Africa as the next frontiers for growth.
The current export trajectory is summarized in the following targets and reach:
| Metric | 2026 TEI Target/Data |
|---|---|
| Potential Transaction Value | USD 17.5 Billion |
| Expected Visitor Count | 30,000 |
| Buyer Participation | 134 Countries |
| Exhibitor Count | 1,873 |
Minister Hasan noted that South Asia—specifically India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—is currently experiencing the highest growth in demand for Indonesian products.
From local villages to global supply chains
A significant portion of the Ministry of Trade’s strategy involves the “From Local to Global” program. The goal is to move beyond large corporations and integrate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the international trade loop. This is being executed through the Desa BISA Ekspor (Innovative and Adaptive Export-Ready Villages) program, which identifies specific village-level products capable of meeting international standards.
To bridge the gap between a rural village and a foreign buyer, the government is utilizing a network of 46 trade representative offices across 33 countries. This includes Trade Attachés, Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs), and specialized offices in Hong Kong and Taipei.
The government is also betting on the next generation. Through the "Campuspreneur" program, the Ministry has partnered with 25 universities to teach students how to handle the complexities of exporting.
The tension between protectionism and expansion
The Ministry of Trade has a three-pronged approach: securing the domestic market, expanding export markets, and moving from local to global.
As the expo concludes, the focus shifts from the signing of MoUs to the actual movement of goods. The success of TEI 2026 in Tangerang relates to whether the downstreaming policy increases the added value of natural resources and strengthens national economic resilience.
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