Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and the Indonesia Eximbank Institute show that Indonesia's exports to the Middle East account for only about 4.2 percent of the total national exports, with main commodities including palm oil (HS 1511), jewelry (HS 7113), as well as cars and other motor vehicles (HS 8703).
Indonesia is accelerating its downstream industrialisation drive to maximise the value of its natural resources, bolster domestic manufacturing and create high-quality jobs, President Prabowo Subianto said.
While January and February exports were strong (+15.2%), escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East – including supply disruptions from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and recent attacks on oil and gas facilities across the Gulf states pose material near term risks to global trade flows.
Malaysia’s export momentum saw a visible moderation in February, growing by 10.8% year-on-year (YoY). This follows a blistering 19.6% surge in January and fell short of market expectations, which had anticipated growth closer to 12.2%.
Thailand has doubled its spending on importing pepper - often referred to as “black gold” - from Viet Nam, making the country its largest supplier of the commodity.
The Middle East conflict will pose a significant headwind, economists say; Maybank trims its GDP forecast
Malaysia has withdrawn from its trade agreement with the United States and become the first country to exit Washington’s reciprocal tariff strategy. The move opens the door for other countries to take similar action.
Thailand's shrimp exports are unaffected by the new US tariffs and antidumping (AD) duties, and the industry aims to produce 400,000 tonnes of shrimp this year, says the Thai Shrimp Association.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
