Low Salt Product Innovation to Cyber Security is a Concern

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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.

Sodium Excise Plan Encourages Low-Salt Food Production Innovation

The government is preparing a policy to impose excise on Processed Sodium Food Products (P2OB). Deputy Minister of Finance Anggito Abimanyu explained that this policy is part of the steps to expand the state revenue base in 2026.

Jaya Darmawan from CELIOS reminded the government to provide protection, or set a threshold based on production volume, so that certain micro-enterprises do not need to be subject to excise tax, due to this policy.

Even so, foods that have a relatively low sodium content are now experiencing increased demand. According to Market Data Forecast, the global low-sodium food market is expected to grow from USD 1.37 billion (2022) to USD 1.76 billion by 2028. In Indonesia itself, consumer awareness of a healthy lifestyle is slowly increasing, especially in big cities.

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Online Buying and Selling Subject to Tax

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati signed a new regulation on the imposition of income tax for merchants in e-Commerce, in Minister of Finance Regulation Number 37 Year 2025, which was stipulated by Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, on June 11, 2025 and promulgated on July 14, 2025.

The Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA) stated that this regulation does not add a new tax burden for business actors, but only shifts the tax collection mechanism from business actors to digital platforms.

However, the implementation in the field still leaves technical and administrative challenges. One of the challenges highlighted is the obligation of sellers to upload a turnover statement that must be printed, signed, and stamped.

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Cybersecurity is an Executive Level Concern

Chairman of the Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF), Ari Sutedja, said that Operational Technology (OT) security priorities among Indonesian executives are still mixed. Large companies such as Pertamina and Telkom, which have crucial infrastructure, show higher awareness by integrating OT security into corporate strategy and making it a topic of discussion at the board level.

However, many other companies, especially those that have not yet experienced a major cyberattack, tend to think of OT security only as a technical issue. Therefore, a strategic approach is needed to drive change, including executive education on OT risks, simulation of the impact of an attack on the business, and advocacy for stronger national policies.

According to Ari, when Operational Technology (OT) security becomes an executive responsibility, it has a significant impact on corporate strategy and investment. One of the main impacts is an increased budget and focus on cybersecurity.

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Indonesia Builds Asia's First Quantum AI Data Center

The government will build a state-of-the-art computing center based on AI and Quantum AI Data Center technology in Batam with a value of USD400 million (or around Rp6 trillion), making Indonesia the first country in Asia to have a Quantum AI Data Center.

Quantum AI Data Center's investment plan was revealed during the signing of a strategic partnership between Worldvuer iByond Limited, a leading technology company from Silicon Valley, and Tunas Prima Industrial Estate in Jakarta on July 9.

According to Ari Sutedja, Chairman of the Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF), Indonesia has a great opportunity to become a regional data center but there are major obstacles in its development, especially in terms of infrastructure and investment commitment.

The business potential beyond quantum AI data centers from the development of next-generation technologies is abundant and limitless. However, he emphasized that its successful development is highly dependent on infrastructure readiness.

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Surge in Carbon Trading

Since the Indonesia Carbon Exchange (IDX Carbon) was launched in September 2023, the volume of carbon trading up to the first half of this year has increased threefold, with a cumulative value of IDR 77.95 billion.

The trading prospects on the Indonesian carbon exchange show optimistic performance in its journey of less than two years. At the end of 2023, the volume of carbon trading on the Indonesian stock exchange was only recorded at 494,254 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) with a value of IDR 30.91 billion.

In 2024, carbon trading was 413,764 tons of CO₂e with a value of IDR 19.73 billion. However, in the first half of 2025, the trading volume soared to 691,304 tons of CO₂e with a value of IDR 27.31 billion, far exceeding the conditions in 2024.

Indonesia is committed to a low-emission future by targeting a voluntary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 31.89 percent (unconditionally and without international assistance) or 43.2 percent (with international support) by 2030. One of the efforts to reduce emissions is through carbon trading.

Businesses can purchase carbon units to achieve emission reduction targets and fulfill their commitments to carbon neutrality or net-zero. The proceeds from carbon trading will be invested in environmental conservation efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Pamerindo Indonesia Trade Event Manufacturing Surabaya 2025: The "Manufacturing Surabaya 2025" exhibition will be held on July 16-19, 2025 at the Grand City Convention & Exhibition Center, Surabaya. This annual event targets the strengthening of the manufacturing industry in eastern Indonesia with the theme "Building Stronger Manufacturing in Eastern Indonesia.

Bank Indonesia Board of Governors Meeting: Bank Indonesia (BI) will hold its July 2025 Board of Governors Meeting (RDG) starting Tuesday July 15, 2025-Wednesday July 16, 2025. As with the monthly RDG routine, BI will determine the policy of raising or lowering or continuing the current benchmark interest rate.

The results of BI's July 2025 RDG meeting will be announced in a press conference on Wednesday, July 16 at 14:00. The determination of the benchmark interest rate is important for the business world because it will affect not only the interest rate of the financial services industry, but also have an impact on the stimulus of real sector funding.

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