On May 9, 2025, Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso (Mendag Busan), officially launched the export of frozen yellowfin tuna loin to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), valued at USD 90,000 (approximately IDR 1.87 billion). The export, carried out by PT Dempo Andalas Samudera in Padang, West Sumatra, is part of Indonesia’s broader effort to capitalize on the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which eliminates import tariffs on around 94% of Indonesian goods, significantly easing market entry into the Middle East.
The event was also attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Trade, West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah, and representatives from Aruna Holding and PT Dempo Andalas Samudera. Governor Mahyeldi highlighted the success of the Export Coaching Program, which has helped produce 60 new exporters in the region, and urged continued central government support to promote West Sumatra’s top products. Utari Octavianty, Chief Sustainability Officer of Aruna Indonesia, emphasized the importance of this export for supporting local fishermen in Bungus, describing it as a symbol of the hard work and resilience of the region’s fishery community. The export marks a promising step in strengthening Indonesia’s trade performance through strategic agreements and grassroots empowerment.
