The 2026 Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) officially opened on October 14 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD) in Tangerang, Banten Province. As one of Indonesia's largest and most influential comprehensive international trade exhibitions, the event not only showcased the nation's diverse export portfolio but also facilitated substantial cross-border business partnerships.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Indonesian exporters are expected to sign 168 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international buyers from 22 countries during the expo, with the agreements valued at a total of USD 13.2 billion. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso attributed the successful conclusion of these landmark agreements to the robust support of Indonesia's overseas trade promotion network, which includes commercial counselors and the proactive matchmaking efforts of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs).
The expo has set an ambitious target to achieve a total transaction value of USD 17.5 billion. The event has drawn immense international interest and participation, with over 16,800 registered buyers in attendance, including more than 8,000 international professional buyers from 134 countries. On the exhibitor front, 1,873 companies have converged to comprehensively showcase Indonesia's diverse product offerings and manufacturing capabilities.
The exhibition floor features comprehensive zones covering multiple core export sectors. Product categories on display include food and beverages, agricultural commodities, finished manufactured goods, fashion and apparel, traditional handicrafts, furniture, home décor, and various industrial products. In the food and beverage zone, Indonesia's specialty agricultural produce and processed foods have attracted significant attention from international buyers. Meanwhile, the furniture and home décor zone has proven highly popular, showcasing products that seamlessly blend Indonesia's exquisite traditional craftsmanship with modern design. This diverse array of exhibits not only highlights the depth and breadth of Indonesia's industrial landscape but also provides global purchasers with a wealth of sourcing options.
Beyond facilitating trade and business matching, the Ministry of Trade has leveraged the expo as a platform to recognize individuals and enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to Indonesia's export performance. Several prestigious awards will be presented during the event, including the Primaniyarta Awards for exceptional export performance, the Primaduta Awards for outstanding export ambassadors, and the Campuspreneur Award to encourage youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
Minister Budi Santoso emphasized that the Indonesian government is committed to further optimizing the business environment and enhancing the global competitiveness of its export products through large-scale international exhibitions of this caliber. The signing of USD 13.2 billion in MoUs is merely a microcosm of Indonesia's broader efforts to deepen international economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, Indonesia will continue to strengthen its trade ties with nations worldwide, elevating bilateral and multilateral economic relations to new heights.
The 2026 Trade Expo Indonesia will run through October 18. Serving as a pivotal platform for Indonesia to expand its global export markets and attract international business partnerships and foreign direct investment, the successful execution of TEI 2026 will undoubtedly inject robust new momentum into the nation's sustained economic growth and international trade cooperation.