Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Minister of Trade Budi Santoso has issued two Minister of Trade Regulations (Peraturan Menteri Perdagangan or Permendag) that adjust export policies for mining and forestry commodities. The regulations are Permendag No. 8 of 2025 on Prohibited Export Goods and Permendag No. 9 of 2025 on Export Policies and Regulations. Both regulations were enacted on March 6, 2025, and will take effect on March 10, 2025.
Minister of Trade Budi Santoso stated that these regulations will serve as catalysts for boosting Indonesia’s exports. “These Permendag regulations aim to clarify export rules, facilitate business operations, and align policies with relevant institutions,” Budi said in a press release on Monday (March 17, 2025).
Supporting Downstream Processing in Mining
Acting Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim, explained that Permendag 8/2025 supports the government’s downstream processing policy for mining sector businesses.
The government is committed to ensuring investment sustainability and accelerating domestic mineral downstream processing while allowing the export of value-added refined mining products such as titanium slag. “The export of refined mining products like titanium slag can be optimized, generating greater added value for the national economy,” Isy stated.
Strengthening Conservation Efforts
Meanwhile, Permendag 9/2025 aims to enhance the conservation of wild plants, protected wildlife, and fish species. This revision reflects Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable utilization of species listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices and non-CITES Limited Protection categories.
“The government ensures that export policies consider conservation status, particularly the population levels of these species in the wild. If populations decline, their utilization will be further restricted,” Isy explained.
Previously, during the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP) to CITES in November 2022, it was decided that sharks and rays from the Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Rhinobatidae, and Neoceratodontidae families would be officially included in CITES Appendix II. This decision was a significant milestone in conservation efforts.
CITES Appendix II lists species that are not yet endangered but could become threatened if trade is not regulated. Therefore, the government must control the trade of these species to ensure sustainability and prevent overexploitation. “This step highlights the government’s commitment to protecting Indonesia’s marine biodiversity,” Isy added.
Additionally, Permendag 9/2025 strengthens protection measures for eel fish (Anguilla spp.)—a high-value export commodity with limited populations in Indonesia. This revision aligns Indonesia’s trade regulations with Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 80/Kepmen-KP/2020 on the Limited Protection of Eel Fish (Anguilla spp.).
