Jakarta, INTI - Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso has encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen digital marketing and expand their access to international export markets. The technology is expected to help businesses identify potential markets, understand consumer preferences, and develop more effective promotional materials.
The initiative was highlighted by Budi, widely known as Trade Minister Busan, during the business forum “Go Global with AI: Unlocking New Markets with Meta Indonesia,” held on the second day of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City in Tangerang Regency, Banten, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
According to Budi, advances in digital technology are creating new opportunities for MSMEs to reach broader audiences. AI can support various marketing activities, including market research, product description translation, promotional content creation, and preparing responses to prospective buyers' inquiries.
“Business owners, including MSMEs, must learn to use AI effectively because we are now in the digital era. By using this technology to support their businesses, their products have a greater opportunity to reach consumers more quickly. We hope AI will deliver positive results in supporting business growth,” Budi said in a statement to Agricom on Thursday, October 15.
He emphasized that technology adoption must be accompanied by government support to ensure MSMEs can not only market their products digitally but also prepare to enter international markets.
Trade Ministry Strengthens Export Support for MSMEs
Alongside encouraging AI adoption, the Ministry of Trade continues to expand market access for businesses through various export development initiatives. These include business-matching programs with overseas buyers and partnerships with modern retail chains.
Budi said these facilities are available to businesses of different sizes, including MSMEs preparing to enter international markets.
“The Ministry of Trade remains open to supporting businesses in developing their exports, whether they are large, medium-sized, or small enterprises,” he said.
Such support is important because digital marketing alone does not guarantee export success. MSMEs must also understand the characteristics of their target markets, adapt products to consumer needs, and establish networks with prospective buyers and distribution partners.
By combining AI technology with trade facilitation, MSMEs are expected to strengthen their competitiveness and expand their opportunities to secure transactions in global markets.
Reach Global Markets with AI Program Trains 200 MSMEs
During the forum, representatives of Meta Indonesia symbolically presented the Global Expansion-Ready Catalogue to Trade Minister Budi Santoso. The catalogue features profiles of MSMEs and their flagship products participating in the Reach Global Markets with AI program.
It showcases businesses preparing to enter international markets through product research and the development of AI-powered promotional materials. The presentation was followed by an interactive discussion involving stakeholders from Indonesia's digital export ecosystem.
The Reach Global Markets with AI program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, Meta Indonesia, and UKMINDONESIA.ID. It aims to strengthen Indonesian MSMEs' capabilities in using digital technology while expanding their marketing reach overseas.
As of the business forum at TEI 2026, the program had trained 200 MSMEs across three cities: Bandung, Batam, and Jakarta.
The training is designed to help business owners use AI to identify market opportunities, improve marketing communications, and prepare promotional materials suited to the needs of international consumers.
AI adoption also has the potential to help MSMEs optimize limited resources. With technological support, businesses can develop marketing materials more efficiently without relying entirely on manual processes for every promotional requirement.
By integrating AI adoption, export facilitation, and digital marketing capabilities, Indonesia aims to help MSMEs access new international markets and build more competitive, sustainable export businesses.
Conclusion
Indonesia is encouraging MSMEs to leverage AI to improve digital marketing, identify international market opportunities, and strengthen export readiness. Through collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, Meta Indonesia, and UKMINDONESIA.ID, the government aims to equip local businesses with the digital capabilities needed to expand globally and compete more effectively in international markets.
Read more: Trade Minister Budi Santoso Encourages SMEs to Leverage AI to Expand into Global Markets