PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI)’s initiative to prepare eight analytical approaches (analytic use cases) has been viewed as a positive signal for improving the governance of national strategic commodity exports. The integrated data system being developed by DSI represents an important milestone in detecting potential irregularities in the export governance of coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and ferronickel, thereby helping to optimize state revenue potential.
Herry Gunawan, Director of the NEXT Indonesia Center, said DSI’s commitment to take on the role of a single data integrator in the strategic commodity export supply chain is highly important. To date, data services for export activities have been fragmented across various institutions, including the Ministry of Trade through INATRADE and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise through the Customs Excise Information System and Automation (CEISA), among others.
“This data integration and monitoring scheme will not only make information flows more efficient, but also minimize the potential for irregularities in strategic natural resource commodity exports. As a result, improvements in export governance in line with DSI’s mandate can be achieved more effectively,” Herry Gunawan said in Jakarta on Saturday (September 26, 2026).
The operational framework being developed by DSI is also considered to be in line with international best practices, such as Singapore’s TradeNet system and the United States’ Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). These integrated systems have proven effective in increasing the transparency and visibility of trade transactions, reducing logistics costs, and significantly closing opportunities for manipulation of export values.
“TradeNet and ACE demonstrate how inter-agency integration and the digitalization of procedures can accelerate services while simultaneously strengthening oversight of cross-border trade,” he said.
DSI’s decision not to take over the regulatory authority of ministries and government agencies, nor replace the role of market participants, has also been considered appropriate. By positioning itself as a provider of data visibility and an identifier of transaction discrepancies, DSI can instead strengthen regulators’ oversight functions without creating overlapping regulations that could hamper the flow of goods.
“Comprehensive data reconciliation, such as matching Export Declaration Forms (Pemberitahuan Ekspor Barang/PEB) and Bills of Lading with import records from destination countries through UN Comtrade data and the ASEAN Single Window for ASEAN destinations, is an appropriate verification measure. This initiative is projected to have a tangible positive impact on state revenues,” he said.
Nevertheless, Herry noted that further measures are needed to optimize the effectiveness of oversight in the field. DSI was advised not to rely solely on reports or certificates issued by surveyor companies, given that administrative documents remain vulnerable to potential negligence and operational manipulation.
He added that, as a solution, DSI should develop and implement a mechanism for randomly checking the conformity of goods’ Harmonized System (HS) Codes in the field.
“Random audits combining credible laboratory testing and unannounced, sample-based physical inspections are important to create a deterrent effect and prevent manipulation of HS Code classifications or categories intended to avoid export duties,” Herry said.
In addition, DSI’s data integration efforts need to be connected in real time with the systems of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Directorate General of Taxes, and Bank Indonesia’s Integrated Instant Foreign Exchange Monitoring Information System (Sistem Informasi Monitoring Devisa terIntegrasi Seketika/SiMoDIS), so that any identified data anomalies can be followed up promptly.
The NEXT Indonesia Center believes that combining an integrated analytical approach with random field inspections will minimize foreign-exchange leakages, while at the same time strengthening economic sovereignty and promoting transparent and sustainable governance of natural resources.
