More and more Indonesian businesses are selling beyond borders, tapping into the growing demand for local products in Southeast Asia. But if you’re an SME looking to ship to Malaysia, Singapore, or beyond, you probably have a ton of questions.
That’s exactly what Suara UKM Negeri Vol. 6 Media Gathering set out to answer on 20 February 2025, at Hotel Royal Kuningan, Jakarta. Hosted by Ninja Xpress, the event brought together Indonesian SMEs, logistics experts, and successful exporters to share real, practical strategies for selling to Southeast Asia.
If you missed it, here’s a rundown of what you need to know.
1. The Demand for Indonesian Products is Bigger Than You Think
A major highlight of the event was the release of Suara UKM Negeri Vol. 6, a survey of 1,200 consumers across Southeast Asia that revealed just how much buyers love Indonesian products.
The top-selling categories?
- Fashion & Accessories – 68% of buyers
- Food & Beverage – 47% of buyers
- Health & Beauty – 46% of buyers
But why are people choosing Indonesian products over their local options? The survey found:
- 39% love the unique designs and styles that aren’t available in their country.
- 34% appreciate high-quality craftsmanship.
- 31% are drawn to products with a strong cultural identity.
That means if you’re selling clothing, food, or beauty products with a local touch, your brand has a huge opportunity to go international.
Takeaway:
There’s already a market waiting for your products—but you need the right strategy to reach them.
2. The Biggest Challenge for SMEs? Shipping.
A major concern for SMEs isn’t just how to sell internationally, but how to actually get their products into customers’ hands.
- How do I deal with customs?
- What’s the best way to ship?
- How much does international delivery really cost?
These were some of the most pressing questions raised at the event.
According to Fikri Hilman, Senior Manager of Trade Marketing at Ninja Xpress, the key is choosing the right logistics model based on your business needs.
The three main shipping options:
- Direct-to-Customer (DTC): Ship orders straight from Indonesia to customers overseas—great for testing a new market with low risk and cost.
- Bulk Shipping + Local Fulfillment: Send large batches to a warehouse in the destination country for faster, cheaper deliveries.
- Full Local Setup: Establish a production and fulfillment center in the target market—ideal for businesses scaling up in a big way.
Takeaway:
You don’t need a warehouse in Malaysia or Singapore to start exporting—but choosing the right logistics model can save you money and make expansion easier.
3. Real SMEs Are Already Expanding—Here’s How
It’s one thing to hear from experts, but it’s another to learn from actual SMEs who have made the leap. At the event, several successful business owners shared how they cracked the export game:
- Nirmal Kumar Karmani, CEO of Fastrac, explained how logistics aggregators are making exporting easier for small businesses.
- Awan, Founder of Beauty of Angel (BOA) Store, talked about exporting health and beauty products and the importance of branding and positioning.
- Mohammad Buchari (Pak Borie), Owner of Jakarta Coffee House, shared how Indonesian coffee is winning over Southeast Asian buyers looking for authentic flavors and artisanal quality.
Takeaway:
You don’t have to be a huge company to sell internationally—these SMEs started small, found a strategy that worked, and scaled up from there.
What’s Next for Indonesian SMEs?
The Indonesian government wants SME exports to grow 9.63% by 2026, meaning there’s a big push for businesses to go global. With the right logistics, marketing, and product strategy, you can start selling to international customers sooner than you think.
And don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
From end-to-end logistics solutions that make cross-border shipping easy, to market insights that show you where and how to sell, plus training & support to help you expand with confidence—Ninja Xpress is here to help you take your business global.
So take the first step—talk to us, and let us help you scale your business.
For partnerships or inquiries, contact reg-xb-enquiry@ninjavan.co.
