MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The City Government of Medan and the Regional Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance in North Sumatra have intensified their collaboration to strengthen the local economy and enhance regional competitiveness.
During an official meeting held at the Medan mayor's residence on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the discussions focused on tightening customs supervision, accelerating the development of the Belawan economic zone, and expanding export opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Medan as a Growing Economic and Production Hub
Mayor Rico Waas emphasized
Medan's strategic shift from a consumer-based market into a production and distribution hub serving both regional and international markets. He stressed the importance of building a sustainable trade ecosystem supported by strong regulation, cross-sector collaboration, and improved competitiveness.
"The City of Medan plays a strategic role as an SME hub in North Sumatra. Therefore, Medan must be able to produce goods that are competitive both domestically and internationally to boost exports and strengthen the regional economy," Rico said.
SME Challenges: Packaging as a Key BarrierThe mayor also highlighted ongoing challenges faced by SMEs, particularly in product packaging. High packaging costs remain a major obstacle in improving the competitiveness of local products.
"We have many high-quality local products such as Rengginang, Sumpia, and
Medan anchovies. However, many entrepreneurs struggle with high packaging costs. We must find joint solutions so these products can compete in wider markets," he added.
Belawan as a Strategic Development Area
In addition to SME empowerment, accelerating infrastructure development in the Belawan district remains a key priority. Improved road connectivity is considered essential to attract investment, streamline logistics, and create new employment opportunities.
The Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Finance in North Sumatra, Rudy Rahmaddi, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting Medan's economic transformation. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Belawan as a competitive port and industrial hub.
He further noted that existing SME empowerment programs have already helped local businesses access export markets, while continued collaboration is needed to improve product quality and packaging innovation.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala