Formation of SOE for Natural Resource Exports Deemed Capable of Preventing State Foreign Exchange Leakage

Indonesia is set to establish a dedicated state-owned enterprise (BUMN) to manage the export of strategic natural resources, with operations commencing on January 1, 2027. This initiative is designed to enhance export supervision, curb foreign exchange leakage, and expedite the downstream processing of national commodities.

Nurdin Halid, Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), expressed support for the formation of this BUMN, viewing it as a continuation of the government's strategy to improve the governance of strategic commodity trade and boost state revenue. He stated that the policy aligns with Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates the management of natural resources for the people's prosperity.

"This policy is a continuation strategy of the natural resource downstreaming program, securing state foreign exchange, and preventing the leakage of strategic commodity export value. And all of that is a manifestation of economic sovereignty for the wealth of natural resources for the greatest prosperity of the people," Nurdin said. The government has appointed PT Danantara Sumber Daya Strategis (PT DSI) to manage the export of strategic commodities.

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This policy is a continuation strategy of the natural resource downstreaming program, securing state foreign exchange, and preventing the leakage of strategic commodity export value. And all of that is a manifestation of economic sovereignty for the wealth of natural resources for the greatest prosperity of the people.

Nurdin believes PT DSI will strengthen Indonesia's bargaining power in the global market and improve the structure of national exports, which are currently dominated by raw material sales. He hopes PT DSI will act not only as an exporter but also as an orchestrator and aggregator, unifying the national supply chain from production and financing to logistics, quality standardization, downstreaming, and global market penetration. This, he added, would elevate Indonesia from merely exporting commodities to becoming a significant player in the global value chain.

Furthermore, Nurdin suggested that the BUMN could help curb detrimental trade practices like under-invoicing and transfer pricing, which are suspected of causing export value leakage. The plan was initially mentioned by President Prabowo Subianto in a plenary session at the DPR RI on May 20, 2026, as part of the government's efforts to address under-invoicing practices that have allegedly harmed the state long-term. PT DSI's role will include strengthening export supervision, improving trade data validity, and suppressing trade mis-invoicing.

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This important so that Indonesia is no longer just an exporter of commodities, but is able to move up class as an important player in the global value chain.