The 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) officially commenced on October 14, 2026. On the inaugural day, 168 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, representing a total export value of USD 13.2 billion. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, this international trade exhibition is a strategic government initiative aimed at expanding export markets and fostering robust connections between Indonesian enterprises and overseas buyers.
The signing ceremony was held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD City, Tangerang, Banten. As the flagship edition of the 41st TEI, the exhibition runs from October 14 to 18 under the theme "The Ultimate Hub for Global Sourcing." Minister of Trade Budi Santoso revealed that, as of the opening day, buyers from 134 countries had registered, alongside 1,873 exhibitors. This year's TEI has set a target of attracting 30,000 professional visitors and aims to generate a potential transaction value of up to USD 17.5 billion.
Minister Santoso noted that the MoUs signed on the first day were the fruitful results of pre-event business matching activities, which proactively served as a bridge for Indonesian exporters and prospective overseas buyers. Among the first-day signings, the Netherlands, India, and Japan ranked among the top 22 countries with the highest potential transaction values. In terms of product structure, the MoUs were predominantly driven by bread, pastries, cakes, biscuits, coal, briquettes, furniture, as well as paper and paperboard. Additionally, the agreements encompassed investment cooperation in the services sector.
The 41st TEI was officially inaugurated by Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia, with the ceremony also attended by Minister of Trade Budi Santoso and Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan. In his keynote address, Bahlil Lahadalia underscored the critical importance of optimizing natural resource management in propelling Indonesia toward developed nation status. He stated that the government is continuously advancing the downstreaming and industrialization of resources to ensure national commodities generate higher added value. "The government is vigorously promoting high-value-added exports through the downstreaming and industrialization of natural resources. Downstreaming is key to enhancing the added value of Indonesia's natural resources while consolidating national economic independence," Bahlil emphasized.
Through this exhibition, the government is committed to providing a matchmaking platform for domestic producers and international buyers, as well as comprehensively showcasing Indonesia's diverse premium products. The exhibition covers multiple sectors, including food and beverage, agriculture, manufacturing, fashion and handicrafts, furniture, home decor, and industrial estates. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan specifically highlighted the immense potential of expanding into non-traditional markets such as South Asia and Africa. He noted that countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India hold great promise for broadening Indonesia's trade footprint, while the African market remains a vital target for the country's export development.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade stated that it is continuously conducting trade negotiations to secure new market access. Budi Santoso mentioned that 25 trade agreements are currently in effect, with another 13 under negotiation. The 41st TEI also forms a core component of the Ministry's three priority programs: domestic market security, export market expansion, and "From Local to Global." Through these strategic initiatives, the government aims to enhance the international competitiveness of national products and help more domestic enterprises successfully break into international markets.
The successful staging of TEI 2026 has been made possible through the robust support of various partners. Pertamina serves as the Strategic Partner, Bank Mandiri as the Banking Partner, and the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) as the Event Partner. Furthermore, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indonesian Export Financing Institution have also provided crucial support in ensuring the success of the exhibition.