Indonesia trade and entrepreneurship promotion

Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso has been actively promoting various economic sectors, focusing on both international investment and domestic entrepreneurship.

In early October 2026, Santoso invited United States businesses to participate in the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia. During the 14th Annual US-Indonesia Investment Summit, he positioned Indonesia as a strategic Indo-Pacific hub for production and export. Discussions with the American Chamber of Commerce also addressed raw material sourcing, halal certification, and the Indonesia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

Following these international engagements, Santoso shifted focus toward the domestic franchise sector at the Franchise & License Expo Indonesia 2026. He encouraged youth entrepreneurship through the franchise model and advocated for the global promotion of local brands, such as culinary businesses. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Trade is utilizing the ‘Rasa Rempah Indonesia’ (S’RASA) program and business matching sessions, which recorded transaction values of USD 346.99 million in the first eight months of 2026.