Jakarta, 26 Agustus 2025 — Indonesia has no shortage of products with global potential. From natural resources and distinctive craftsmanship to increasingly sophisticated manufacturers, the country has many of the ingredients needed to compete internationally. The bigger question is whether more Indonesian businesses can take the next step: turning local potential into sustainable global business.

That was the central idea behind the Alibaba.com Indonesia Conference 2025, Alibaba.com’s first official mega event in Indonesia, which brought together government representatives, business communities, exporters, certification bodies, media, and ecosystem enablers under one roof. With all 450 seats filled, the event reflected a strong and growing appetite among Indonesian businesses to explore international markets. But this conference was about more than introducing a global B2B platform.

It was about answering a more important question, How can Indonesian businesses turn their local strengths into real opportunities in global markets?

Indonesia at a Crossroads in Global Trade

Global trade is changing rapidly. Sourcing strategies are evolving. Supply chains are being recalibrated. Buyers are becoming increasingly selective about quality, consistency, compliance, and reliability. At the same time, digital platforms and artificial intelligence are creating new ways for businesses to discover demand, connect with buyers, and manage their export activities. For Indonesia, these changes represent more than challenges.

They represent an opportunity. The first panel, “Indonesia at the Crossroads: Seizing the Next Wave of Global Trade,” brought together perspectives from government and the business ecosystem to explore how Indonesia can respond to this changing environment.

A key voice in the discussion came from the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, which shared insights into Indonesia’s trade landscape and the opportunities available to businesses looking to expand internationally.

The discussion connected the macro picture of Indonesia’s trade with the reality faced by MSMEs: global markets are becoming more competitive, but new opportunities are emerging at the same time. The message was clear. Going global is no longer simply about having a good product. Businesses need to understand where demand is coming from, build export readiness, maintain quality, and leverage the right ecosystem to compete.

Turning Global Trends into Local Opportunities

For many business owners, the idea of entering a “global market” can still feel distant or complicated. That is why the conference brought global trade trends closer to the realities of Indonesian businesses. Through discussions around global market trends, buyer insights, and the latest developments from Alibaba.com, participants gained a clearer perspective on how sourcing demand is evolving and where Indonesian products can potentially compete.

Indonesia already has several natural advantages. Its rich natural resources from teak and rattan to coffee, vanilla, and other agricultural commodities, provide access to distinctive raw materials. Its long tradition of craftsmanship gives many products a unique cultural identity. Flexible sourcing models and minimum order quantities can also make Indonesian suppliers attractive to international buyers looking for new sourcing partners.

But potential alone is not enough. It needs to be translated into export-ready products, credible suppliers, and businesses capable of meeting international buyer expectations.

When Quality Becomes the New Currency

That led to another critical question, If global opportunities are expanding, how can Indonesian businesses earn the trust of international buyers?

The second panel, “What’s Next in SEA: Quality is Currency – Building Export-Ready Products that Win Global Buyers,” explored exactly that. Together with representatives from KADIN Indonesia Trading House, SGS International, and the wider export ecosystem, the discussion examined the growing importance of quality, compliance, certification, and trust in global B2B trade.

For international buyers, sourcing decisions are rarely based on price alone. They are looking for suppliers who can consistently deliver quality, reliability, compliance, and trust. This means becoming export-ready should not be viewed as something reserved for large corporations. With the right guidance, tools, and ecosystem support, MSMEs can gradually build the capabilities needed to meet global standards and compete internationally.

From Inspiration to Proof, An Indonesian Seller’s Journey

Nothing makes an export opportunity more tangible than hearing from someone who has already experienced it. During the Success Seller Story session, Muhammad Fahmi, a multi-sector entrepreneur and Founder of Mitchee & Pohacee Carteens, shared his journey of building and scaling Indonesian businesses into international markets through Alibaba.com.

His story demonstrated how digital commerce can become a catalyst for business growth. Since 2020, Fahmi expanded his portfolio from one to four flagship products while growing annual revenue from approximately IDR 3 billion to IDR 40 billion.

More importantly, his experience gave the audience something beyond inspiration, a practical proof point. For business owners who are still considering export, the message is powerful, Going global is not just an ambition. Indonesian businesses are already doing it.

Bringing the Global Market Closer to Indonesian MSMEs

Alibaba.com is continuing to strengthen its presence in Indonesia as part of this broader journey. As a global B2B marketplace, Alibaba.com connects suppliers with buyers across international markets while providing digital tools designed to support businesses throughout their export journey.

With access to buyers across 200+ countries and regions, AI-powered tools, automation, market insights, and localized programs and community support, Alibaba.com aims to make global trade more accessible to Indonesian businesses. But bringing a global platform into Indonesia is only part of the equation.

The bigger ambition is to build a local ecosystem that helps Indonesian MSMEs grow through global trade. That is why the conference brought together government institutions, business communities, exporter communities, certification bodies, media, and ecosystem partners. Because going global is not a journey that any single organization can build alone.

Introducing the Guarantee Package for Indonesian Sellers

The conference also marked the launch of a new initiative designed specifically for Indonesian sellers: the Guarantee Package, available exclusively to new GGS customers in Indonesia.

The package is designed to help businesses navigate one of the most important stages of their Alibaba.com journey: the first 90 days.

The Guarantee Package is built around three core values.

1. Full-Service Support

From store setup and product listing to marketing support, sellers receive assistance designed to help them establish their presence on Alibaba.com faster and more effectively.

2. Guaranteed Business Opportunities

For selected countries under the program, sellers receive 50+ business opportunities within 90 days. If the guaranteed number is not achieved, sellers receive US$40 for each unmet business opportunity, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

3. Free Traffic-Boosting Benefits

Sellers can also benefit from additional exposure through Star Ratings Boost, RFQ responses, and Premium Showcases, helping increase visibility and opportunities to connect with buyers. At its core, the Guarantee Package is built around a simple idea: Starting an export journey should come with more certainty, not more uncertainty.

The Conference Was an Opening, Not an Ending

The Alibaba.com Indonesia Conference 2025 may have come to an end, but the journey it represents is only beginning. The response from 450 participants demonstrated strong interest among Indonesian businesses in exploring global markets. The participation of government representatives, business communities, exporter networks, SGS, media, and other ecosystem enablers also highlighted something equally important, Indonesia has an increasingly connected ecosystem ready to support more businesses going global.

The challenge now is to turn enthusiasm into action. From understanding global demand to building export-ready products. From having a promising product to becoming a trusted supplier. From receiving an inquiry to building a lasting international business relationship. And ultimately, from wanting to export to becoming an exporter. Alibaba.com Indonesia will continue to be part of that journey, with technology, AI-powered tools, access to global buyers, dedicated programs, and an ecosystem designed to help more Indonesian MSMEs take their products to the world. Because the future of Indonesia’s exports is not only about how much the country can produce.

It is about how many Indonesian businesses are ready to take their products to the world. Indonesia is ready to go global. The next chapter starts now.