Indonesia will redefine the role of state-owned firm Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia as an export monitoring body rather than the country's sole exporter, chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Friday.

The change softens a central plank of President Prabowo Subianto's plan to tighten control over exports of strategic commodities, after exporters raised concerns about a state firm taking over their overseas sales.

What changes for exporters

Under the revised framework, Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia, known as DSI, will examine export documents rather than take over negotiations or ownership of the commodities. Companies will keep their buyers, negotiate their own prices and receive payments directly, while DSI checks commercial contracts, shipment details and export earnings against government and market data.

The covered commodities are palm oil, coal and ferroalloys. By the middle of November, the government will revise the existing regulation, which currently states that after 31 December exports of those commodities can only be conducted by an appointed state firm.

Portal launch set for 1 January

DSI will launch a monitoring portal on 1 January, where exporters will submit their commercial documents for checks and analysis. Technical guidance is due on 15 November, with company registration from 15 December and full operation at the start of January.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso said exports would continue to be recorded under each company's own name rather than DSI's, and customs clearance would remain with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

Greater control over natural-resource exports has been one of President Prabowo's top economic priorities, aimed at tackling under-invoicing and transfer pricing and keeping export proceeds onshore. DSI has previously said it will only monitor export flows, and officials said on Friday the mechanism would add no fees for exporters, although a payment structure was still being finalised.