Indonesia implements new SME incentives and industrial standards

Various sectors in Indonesia are undergoing regulatory and developmental shifts. The Ministry of Industry is enforcing mandatory Indonesian National Standards (SNI) for the bottled water industry to ensure safety and competitiveness. Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs is nearing the final stages of integrating a 50% e-commerce service fee discount for local micro and small enterprises (UMK).

In the logistics and labor sectors, concerns have been raised regarding rising shipping costs due to a lack of standardized air cargo fees and inconsistent volumetric weight calculations. The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) is also advocating for labor law revisions that balance worker protection with national competitiveness. Additionally, lawmakers are emphasizing that the Labor Protection Bill must prevent discrimination and protect vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities.

On the corporate front, J&T Express has launched a program to provide up to Rp15 million in assistance to local SMEs. In the financial sector, the number of capital market investors has reached 30.3 million, prompting calls for increased financial literacy. Meanwhile, ICTSI's East Java Multipurpose Terminal is seeking to strengthen trade links between East Java and Eastern Indonesia through improved transport connectivity.