In a significant boost for Indonesia’s fishery-based MSMEs, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso officially launched the export of frozen yellowfin tuna loins to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 9, 2025. Valued at around USD 90,000 (IDR 1.87 billion), the shipment from PT Dempo Andalas Samudera in Padang marks a major milestone in utilizing the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which eliminates up to 94% of import tariffs for Indonesian products entering the UAE market.
Minister Budi emphasized that such trade agreements present golden opportunities for MSMEs to scale up globally. He also announced Indonesia’s plans to sign a CEPA with Tunisia in June and to finalize negotiations with the European Union, further expanding global market access. West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah praised the ministry’s Export Coaching Program, which has produced 60 new exporters in the province—many from MSMEs. He urged continued central support for promoting regional products internationally. The success of this export also highlights the role of Aruna Indonesia, a fisheries tech startup that connects local fishermen with global buyers. Aruna’s co-founder, Utari Octavianty, noted that the export is a testament to the hard work of fishermen in Bungus and the real potential of MSMEs in the global market. This achievement underscores that Indonesian MSMEs are not only vital to the local economy, but also capable contributors to the national trade balance—particularly in the non-oil and gas sector.
