ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia is preparing a major shift in the global minerals market by establishing a National Minerals Exchange, a move aimed at giving the country greater control over the trading and pricing of strategic commodities, particularly nickel, where it already dominates global production.
The initiative reflects Jakarta’s ambition to move beyond its role as the world’s largest nickel producer and become a key player in determining global commodity prices, a position traditionally held by overseas trading hubs.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that the government is accelerating plans to launch the exchange as part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic commodity governance and capture more value from Indonesia’s vast natural resources.
According to Purbaya, several Indonesian mineral products are still traded through foreign exchanges despite the country being one of the world’s leading producers.
“Some of our mineral products are traded on exchanges in Singapore even though we are the main producer. Those activities should be brought back here,” he said at Indonesia’s Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Friday, June 5, 2026.
His remarks signal a growing determination by the government to bring commodity trading closer to the source of production and increase Indonesia’s influence over international markets.
Exchange to Be Regulated by OJK
Once established, the National Minerals Exchange will be supervised by Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK).
The plan is linked to revisions of Indonesia’s Financial Sector Development and Strengthening Law (P2SK), which would grant OJK additional authority to oversee mineral exchange activities.
Government officials believe stronger regulatory oversight will improve transparency, efficiency, and market confidence while ensuring that a greater share of economic benefits remains within Indonesia.
Purbaya described the proposed regulatory framework as a strong indication that the government is laying the institutional groundwork necessary for the exchange to begin operations in the near future.
“It should happen as soon as possible,” he said.
Strengthening Downstream Industrialization
The creation of a domestic minerals exchange forms part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to maximize the value of its natural resources through downstream industrialization.
Over the past several years, Indonesia has restricted exports of raw minerals and encouraged investment in domestic processing industries, particularly in the nickel sector, which plays a crucial role in global electric vehicle battery supply chains.
The exchange is expected to complement these policies by strengthening Indonesia’s domestic trading ecosystem and supporting efforts to increase value-added exports.
The initiative also aligns with the government’s establishment of PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia, which is designed to serve as a centralized manager for exports of strategic natural resources.
From Resource Giant to Price Setter
If successfully implemented, the National Minerals Exchange could mark a significant turning point for Indonesia’s mining industry.
For decades, Indonesia has been a major supplier of raw materials to global markets. The government now wants the country to play a larger role in determining how those commodities are traded and priced.
By combining industrial downstream policies with a domestic pricing and trading platform, Indonesia hopes to transform itself from a resource powerhouse into a global price setter for nickel and other critical minerals essential to the energy transition.
Such a move could strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining power, attract additional investment, and potentially reshape the structure of global mineral markets in the years ahead. (AT Network)
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