Indonesia partners with Japan’s SMBC to boost exports

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has partnered with Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to expand exports, particularly in high-quality and sustainable products.

At a meeting in Tokyo on Monday, director general of National Export Development at the ministry Fajarini Puntodewi emphasized the potential for increasing exports of renewable energy items such as palm kernel shells and wood pellets, which are in growing demand in Japan.

She also highlighted opportunities in agriculture and seafood, especially tuna and other marine products.

SMBC is expected to play a key role in improving logistics and distribution to support Indonesian exports. The bank will also help connect Indonesian exporters, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with its extensive network of over 400,000 companies in Japan.

SMBC executives expressed their strong interest in supporting Indonesia’s export push, offering financing, market access, and training to help local businesses penetrate the Japanese market.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy by Indonesia to diversify its export destinations and reduce reliance on traditional markets affected by global trade shifts.

The partnership reflects growing interest from both sides in fostering trade links, particularly in green and high-value-added sectors, and may serve as a model for future collaboration.