Pressured by Trump's Tariffs, Exports and Manufacturing Still Moving Forward

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The following is important information related to the development of the business universe that needs attention today based on the curation of the SUAR Team.

Trade Balance Keeps Growing despite Shrinking Exports to the United States

The implementation of high import tariffs of 19%, which President Donald Trump has been imposing since early August, had an impact on the decline in exports to the United States in August 2025. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) on Wednesday (10/1/2025) released the value of exports to Uncle Sam's country only reached US$ 2.72 billion, or shrank by around 12.39% compared to the previous month. However, the overall value of Indonesia's exports in August 2025 still increased slightly by 0.70% from July 2025.
Thanks to this performance, Indonesia's January-August 2025 trade balance experienced a surplus of US$ 29.14 billion. This means that Indonesia has recorded a trade balance surplus for 64 consecutive months since May 2020.

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Despite Slowdown, Indonesian Manufacturing Still Expanding

Indonesia's September 2025 Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), released by S&P Global on Wednesday (1/10/2025), is at 50.4. Despite the decline compared to August 2025 at 51.5, for two consecutive months since August, Indonesia's PMI has returned to the expansion level. Previously, from April to July, Indonesia's PMI level was below 50. PMI is an index of spending trends of managers of manufacturing companies. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 means the manufacturing industry is in contraction. The PMI figure that exceeds 50 means that manufacturing company managers are actively shopping for raw materials for production purposes to meet needs or demand.

September Inflation due to "Demand-Pull", a Sign of Improved Purchasing Power

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) released inflation data in September 2025 reaching 2.65% year on year (YoY), an increase compared to August 2025 which was at 2.31%. In terms of its components, inflation this time mainly came from core inflation, which contributed 1.41% YoY of total inflation in September 2025. Core inflation is often seen as an indicator of people's purchasing power.
Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Economic Policy Analyst Ajib Hamdani believes that inflation in September came from high demand, aka demand-pull inflation. This is a positive signal, because it indicates good purchasing power and a growing economy. Bank Permata Chief Economist Josua Pardede said the increase in September inflation was influenced by a rebound in the volatile component and a shift in the core component.

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Southeast Asia's Cyber Crime Losses Potential US$36.5 billion, Prepare for Prevention

Currently, with the number of QRIS users reaching 57 million users and 39.3 million merchants in Southeast Asia, Artajasa President Director Armand Hermawan does not deny that the potential for QR usage is as great as Southeast Asia's potential losses forfraud, which currently reaches US$ 36.5 billion every year. Moreover, now digital financial economy players in Southeast Asia are increasingly connected in the same region. So entrepreneurs must prepare prevention, risk mitigation, and handling. Check out how the prevention strategy.

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Selected Videos Indonesia's Export Performance January-August 2025 Grows Positively

Waste-to-Energy is a Magnet for European Investment in Indonesia

The European Union has shown great interest in investing in Indonesia, especially in the new renewable energy sector. Meanwhile, Indonesia is increasingly aggressively encouraging the development of waste-to-energy (WtE) technology. With a target of 33 WtE project points, it will take US$ 2.72 billion or equivalent to Rp 45.4 trillion to develop a waste power plant (PLTSa) with a capacity of 452.7 megawatts (MW) until 2034. WtE projects are not only a solution to the chronic urban waste crisis. It is also a great opportunity for the development of new renewable energy (EBT) that attracts foreign investment - especially EU countries.

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Indonesia Green Mineral Investment Forum (IGMIF): This collaborative event between the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia features a line-up of experts and speakers from various industries and organizations. They will share insights on a sustainable future in green minerals. The event will be held on October 2, 2025, at 08.30-17.00 WIB, at the Nusantara Auditorium of the Ministry of Investment and Downstream, Jakarta. For more information, please access bkpm_id social media.

Workshop on "Implementation of Energy Management in accordance with Permen of ESDM No. 8/2025 in the Industrial Sector": This workshop was organized by the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the German Government through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and GIZ under the Sustainable Energy Transition in Indonesia (SETI) Project. The goal is to help companies understand their obligations, increase the capacity of energy managers, and encourage timely reporting in accordance with Permen of ESDM No. 8/2025. The event will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 08.30-16.00 WIB which is heldonline through the YouTube channel of Ditjen EBTKE and Indonesia Cerah. Participants from the industrial sector can attend this workshop for free by accessing live streaming through these channels.