Indonesia tightens coal rules as exports hit US$18.1 Billion
Photo caption: Indonesia's Trade Ministry Director of Industrial and Mining Product Exports Muhammad Rivai Abbas discusses export governance at the CT Asia 2026 conference in Badung, Bali, on Monday (September 28, 2026). (ANTARA/Ni Putu Putri Muliantari)
Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - Indonesia is tightening governance of strategic natural-resource exports, particularly coal, through new regulations aimed at providing greater certainty and strengthening its role as a reliable global energy partner.
Trade Ministry Director of Industrial and Mining Product Exports Muhammad Rivai Abbas said Trade Ministry Regulation No. 15 of 2026 on coal export policies and arrangements responds to global changes and seeks to strengthen export governance.
"Going forward, Indonesia does not want to be known merely as a commodity exporter, but also as a reliable global energy partner that can ensure supply certainty and create greater economic value," Rivai said at the 31st Coaltrans Asia Forum in Badung District, Bali, on Monday.
Indonesia's coal exports reached US$18.11 billion in January-July 2026, up 8.36 percent year-on-year, while total national exports reached US$167.3 billion, with a trade surplus of around US$3.9 billion, Trade Ministry data showed.
The government also issued Trade Ministry Regulation No. 12 of 2026 to simplify export policies and licensing and improve the ease of doing business, Rivai said.
The forum brought together producers, buyers, and government representatives to discuss industry dynamics and the outlook for global energy markets, with around 3,500 coal industry participants from more than 10 countries attending.
The Trade Ministry is pursuing four priorities to strengthen trade resilience and expand Indonesia's position in global supply chains: increasing downstream value, diversifying export markets, improving competitiveness, and strengthening international supply-chain connectivity.
Non-oil and gas exports to nontraditional markets, including Hong Kong, Türkiye, and Thailand, also grew in January-July 2026, the government said.
Indonesian Coal Mining Association Chairman Priyadi said the coal industry continued to have strong potential despite environmental challenges.
"If the goal is better and more transparent governance, then industry players will also feel comfortable," Priyadi said.
The association estimates that around 50 to 60 active coal producers out of more than 100 members are prepared to optimize long-term business planning.
PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia President Director Luke Thomas Mahoney supported stronger export governance through greater transaction transparency.
"We provide and give visibility into transactions, and most of what we do is act as an intermediary between exporters and buyers," Mahoney said.
Danantara will work collaboratively to integrate cross-ministry data and commercial contracts from businesses to strengthen accurate traceability across the coal supply chain, from upstream to downstream.
