West Sepik businesses eye opportunities at Indonesia’s trade expo

Businesses in West Sepik are being encouraged to look beyond the province’s immediate markets and explore opportunities in Indonesia, with several local business representatives expressing interest in attending 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 meeting provided local stakeholders with information on the Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, including the business opportunities available, participation requirements and arrangements for travel to Indonesia.

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 told participants that 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.

A key feature will be business-matching sessions, allowing overseas participants to meet directly with Indonesian companies and explore potential trade and investment partnerships.

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.

The scale of the event means West Sepik businesses attending will have the opportunity to see first-hand the range of products and enterprises operating in one of the region's major economies.

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.
This is particularly relevant for PNG businesses seeking to move beyond selling raw products and develop value-added products that can compete in wider markets.

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.

Such visits could provide practical exposure to production methods and business models that could potentially be adapted to the PNG market.

The Indonesian Consulate also briefed participants on travel and visa arrangements.

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.

Several business representatives who attended the Vanimo meeting have already indicated interest in participating in the expo.

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

For West Sepik, the significance of the expo extends beyond individual businesses.

Greater participation could help build stronger commercial links between Vanimo and neighbouring Indonesian markets, opening possibilities for increased trade, investment, business knowledge and private-sector partnerships.

It could also position West Sepik businesses to contribute more actively to PNG's broader trade ambitions by connecting local enterprises with international buyers and business networks.

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.