Amid growing global trade tensions following President Trump’s re-election and a resurgence of protectionist policies, South Sulawesi (Sulsel) is seen not only as resilient but increasingly positioned to expand its role in international trade. During the Sulsel Talk event hosted by Bank Indonesia in May 2025, the region was identified as a strategic candidate for becoming Indonesia’s hub for non-traditional exports. With exports still heavily reliant on Japan and China, current global uncertainty creates a timely opportunity for South Sulawesi to diversify markets, particularly into the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Australia.
Despite a challenging backdrop, Sulsel achieved 5.78% economic growth in Q1 2025—outpacing the national average—driven by strong performance in agriculture, fisheries, and interregional trade. Rizki Ernadi Wimanda of Bank Indonesia and economist Dr. Aviliani of INDEF both emphasized the importance of market diversification and downstream industrialization. Aviliani highlighted Sulsel’s strengths in food security, renewable energy, and export-ready commodities like cocoa and palm oil. Sulsel’s geographic location along ALKI II enhances its connectivity to ASEAN, the Pacific, and Africa. Meanwhile, OJK noted strong financial sector performance, with productive credit and MSME financing on the rise. Sulsel Talk 2025 thus serves as a catalyst for aligning cross-sector collaboration and actionable policies—empowering the region not just to endure global economic shifts, but to thrive as a key player in the non-traditional export landscape.
