Indonesia Prioritizes Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection to Boost Export Competitiveness

Jakarta – Indonesia is advancing its intellectual property (IP) protection framework to support the growth of high value-added domestic products and enhance their competitiveness in international markets. Trade Minister Budi Santoso underscored the critical importance of IP rights in safeguarding creative works and securing financial benefits for Indonesian innovators.

"Stronger IP protection is vital to protect our national assets both domestically and globally," Santoso stated on Thursday. He emphasized that intellectual property is a key concern in every negotiation with other countries to ensure Indonesia’s interests are preserved.

According to Santoso, products backed by solid IP rights not only generate economic value but also contribute to job creation and the improvement of public welfare. This dual benefit reinforces the government’s commitment to fostering a robust IP ecosystem.

The Ministry of Trade supports this ecosystem by linking innovation with market opportunities through commercialization and downstream development of intellectual property assets. Efforts include trade promotion, business matching, marketplace development, export facilitation, and strengthening the branding of Indonesian goods.

A central focus of the ministry is to improve the competitiveness of IP-based exports by ensuring that Indonesian products combine high quality with legally protected identities. "Indonesian products must not only be of high quality but also have legally protected identities through trademarks and patents," Santoso explained. He noted the growing importance of trademarks in exports, promotional activities, and international negotiations.

Beyond market facilitation, the ministry is working to enhance legal certainty in trade, advance Indonesia’s interests in international IP negotiations, and support the growth of intellectual property-based micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

These initiatives aim to create a sustainable environment where innovation is rewarded and Indonesian products can thrive on the global stage with recognized and protected intellectual property rights.

The ministry’s approach aligns with broader economic goals to increase export value and improve Indonesia’s standing in international trade through strategic IP management.

Relatedly, the ministry has highlighted the destruction of counterfeit products as a critical form of IP protection, reinforcing its commitment to combat infringement and safeguard authentic Indonesian goods.