West Sepik businesses eye opportunities at Indonesia’s Trade Expo 2026

Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Tangkuman Alexander with representatives from Sandaun Provincial administration and West Sepik Chamber of Commerce and businesses representatives from Vanimo at the meeting on the Trade Expo at Consulate office in Vanimo *(Supplied)*

Businesses in West Sepik are encouraged to look beyond the province’s markets and explore opportunities in Indonesia.

Several local business representatives are preparing to attend the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia later this year.

The opportunity was highlighted during a meeting hosted by the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo on September 2, bringing together representatives of the West Sepik Provincial Government, the West Sepik Chamber of Commerce and businesses from Vanimo and surrounding areas.

The five-day trade expo will be held from October 14 to 18 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in BSD City, Tangerang Regency, Banten Province.

For West Sepik, the expo presents an opportunity to strengthen the province's growing commercial relationship with Indonesia, particularly given Vanimo's strategic position along the PNG-Indonesia border.

The Indonesian Consul in Vanimo, Tangkuman Alexander said the expo will bring together Indonesian producers and international buyers across a wide range of sectors, including agriculture and food, manufacturing, industrial products, fashion, handicrafts and furniture.

For local businesses, this could provide a pathway to identify new markets, suppliers, products and technologies that could be relevant to West Sepik and other parts of Papua New Guinea.

The expo attracted more than 34,000 visitors and over 1,600 exhibitors in 2025, with organisers expecting an even larger turnout this year.

For small and medium-sized businesses in Vanimo, participation could also be a chance to learn how Indonesian enterprises process, package and market agricultural products and locally manufactured goods.

The meeting also highlighted the possibility for participants to extend their trip after the expo to visit factories and home industries connected to their particular business interests.

PNG participants from West Sepik can use Indonesia's Visa on Arrival facility at the Skouw border post, while holders of official passports are exempt from visa requirements under the Indonesia-PNG visa-exemption arrangement, subject to the required passport validity.

The West Sepik Chamber of Commerce is expected to coordinate confirmation and follow-up arrangements with the Indonesian Consulate.

With Indonesia continuing to serve as PNG's immediate western neighbour and an important regional market, opportunities such as TEI 2026 could give businesses in Vanimo a platform to turn geographical proximity into practical economic partnerships.