Trade Diplomacy and Digital Transformation: 2029 Export Targets, RI-US Relation Certainty, and AI Innovation in Import Oversight

Today's economic policy focus highlights the government's long-term strategy to expand export markets and mitigate geopolitical challenges through diplomacy and technology. The Minister of Trade has set an ambitious target for Indonesia's exports to break Rp6.76 quadrillion by 2029. To maintain current trade stability, Coordinating Minister sent a special team to Washington to ensure the RI-US trade agreement remains operational amidst uncertainty. This reinforcement step was taken alongside business practitioners' analysis regarding global economic challenges, which are predicted to become increasingly complex in 2026. Domestically, the government has begun preparing for the 2026 Economic Census to capture shifts in public consumption patterns, while the Finance Minister launched an AI innovation to tighten oversight of imported goods. This summary explores efforts to secure international trade and modernize national economic data.

The Minister of Trade targets Indonesia's export value to reach Rp6.76 quadrillion by 2029 as a primary strategy to drive sustainable national economic growth. To support this vision, Coordinating Minister sent a special team to Washington, D.C., to ensure the continuity of the RI-US trade agreement amidst global political dynamics. This diplomatic move is crucial, as business practitioner outlined various economic and geopolitical challenges predicted to become increasingly complex in 2026.

Facing these future challenges, the government is strengthening its database and oversight through digital technology. The 2026 Economic Census will focus on capturing changes in public consumption patterns—which are shifting toward online transactions—to deeply understand Indonesia’s digital economy structure. Simultaneously, the Finance Minister launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system to detect imported goods more accurately. This technological innovation is claimed to have generated an additional Rp1 billion in state revenue during its initial implementation phase as part of customs modernization efforts.

Today's trade and technology dynamics have significant implications for global competitiveness and fiscal policy effectiveness. Sending a team to Washington by Coordinating Minister implies the maintenance of investor confidence and export quota certainty to the United States, which is vital for the trade balance. Meanwhile, the Rp6.76 quadrillion export target implies the need for more massive product and market diversification. Domestically, the use of AI by the Finance Minister implies increased accuracy in import monitoring, which not only boosts state revenue but also protects domestic industries from illegal goods. Furthermore, the 2026 Economic Census's focus on online consumption implies the formulation of data-driven policies that are more relevant to the digital era.

In general, the government is taking proactive steps by combining international diplomacy and technological modernization to secure economic interests. Diplomacy with the United States and long-term export targets demonstrate a commitment to global growth, while the use of AI in customs and preparations for the economic census reflect adaptation to the digital economy. This dual focus aims to build a solid foundation in facing upcoming geopolitical challenges while optimizing domestic market potential