This is where productivity becomes essential. Higher productivity enables businesses to grow, industries to compete, and the national economy to become more resilient. However, productivity must not be viewed only as an economic indicator. Its value lies in its ability to generate better outcomes for workers, including improved income prospects, stronger skills, and more sustainable livelihoods.

IBC believes that strengthening workforce productivity requires a coordinated effort across sectors. Government, businesses, educational institutions, workers, and communities each have an important role in building a workforce that is more skilled, adaptive, and prepared for future economic needs. This includes improving access to relevant training, aligning education with industry demand, strengthening employment pathways, and ensuring that economic transformation creates inclusive opportunities.

Prayoga Wiradisuria Director of Program and Policy IBC, stated, “Productivity is the pillar of nation building and economic growth. On this migrant day, we call for a productivity movement. Not just for workers, but all citizens from all walks of life. It’s a whole-of-society productivity movement: in education, in governance, in industry, in culture, and in mindset.”

On this Labor Day, IBC acknowledges the contribution of workers across Indonesia, from agriculture, manufacturing, and services to emerging sectors that will shape the country’s future economy. Their contribution is central to Indonesia’s ambition to become a more competitive and inclusive nation. Indonesia’s economic progress will depend not only on the scale of growth, but also on its quality. Productivity must translate into better welfare, stronger resilience, and wider opportunities for all.

Happy Labor Day. Let us continue to support Indonesia’s workforce in building a stronger, more productive, and more prosperous nation.

The post Labor Day: Turning Productivity Into Better Welfare appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.

For IBC, the discussion spoke directly to one of Indonesia’s most important development challenges: how to ensure that research can shape policy, guide investment, and improve outcomes on the ground. Too often, strong research remains confined to reports, pilots, or academic discussions. IBC believes that the next step is to build stronger bridges between evidence, policy design, and execution, especially in areas where private sector participation can help expand impact.

Representing the industry perspective, Prayoga Wiradisuria Director of Policy and Program IBC, emphasized that collaboration must be built with implementation in mind from the start. “Collaboration between researchers, government, and industry should be grounded in careful consideration of the replicability, scalability, and sustainability of the initiatives being undertaken.” This reflects IBC’s core approach as a platform that connects business insight, evidence-based research, and policy dialogue to support Indonesia’s long-term competitiveness and welfare.

IBC’s participation underscored its role as a bridge between knowledge and action. By bringing the private sector perspective into research and policy conversations, IBC helps ensure that ideas are tested against market realities, implementation capacity, and long-term sustainability. As Indonesia works to build a more competitive and inclusive economy, IBC sees cross-sector collaboration as essential to turning evidence into policies, policies into programs, and programs into measurable impact.

The post IBC Highlights Scalable Research Partnerships at KIE Summit appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.

The Indonesian Business Council Bioeconomy Activator Program is now open for collaboration.

This private sector-led initiative links bioeconomy R&D with market opportunities to develop higher-value products from Indonesia’s forest-based resources, while advancing a more science-driven bioeconomy.

We are looking for institutions with strong bioeconomy expertise to submit an Expression of Interest and help drive the program’s R&D work.

Interested in exploring this approach further?

Download the full document attached to this post to see the scope, research areas, and submission details with:

🗓 Submit your Expression of Interest before 2 May 2026
📩 to procurement@business-council.id

Download documents here

Join us in advancing a more science-driven bioeconomy! ☘️

#IndonesianBusinessCouncil #Bioeconomy #SustainableDevelopment

The post From Indonesian Forest to Global High-Value Asset appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.

As of April 23, 2026, the US dollar index (DXY) has strengthened by 0.32% year-to-date (YTD). Asian currencies have depreciated by an average of around 0.31% YTD, broadly in line with global trends. In contrast, the rupiah has weakened by 3.59% YTD, indicating the presence of country-specific risk.

This pressure is also reflected in domestic financial markets. Yields on 10-year government bonds have increased by 0.57% YTD, higher than the regional average of 0.26%. In the equity market, the IHSG has declined by around 14% YTD, while Asian equity markets have recorded an average gain of approximately 5.33%.

These developments suggest that the movement of the rupiah cannot be attributed solely to global factors. Indonesia even has a relative cushion as a commodity exporter and producer of some of its energy needs. The relative divergence in performance points to domestic factors that warrant attention.

In response, the Indonesian Business Council underscores the importance of a credible and well-communicated policy response. Denni Purbasari, Chief Economist of IBC, stated, “In the long term, exchange rate stability is anchored in strong national economic competitiveness relative to other countries. In the short term, however, exchange rate movements are largely driven by market expectations shaped by the direction of macroeconomic policy and how that policy is communicated.”

Looking ahead, strengthening market confidence will be essential. Addressing the key observations raised by MSCI, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, and S&P Global Ratings—particularly on policy certainty, governance, and structural reform—can serve as an important step toward improving perceptions of Indonesia’s economic outlook.

The post Rupiah Weakening Reflects Rising Domestic Risks appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.

Download report here

The post IBC Business Outlook 2026 – Inflection: Breaking the Growth Plateau appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.

Over the past three years, IBC has strengthened its institutional foundation and expanded its role as a bridge between business and public policy. Through its four pillars of economy, people, governance, and innovation, IBC has continued to turn research, advocacy, and collaboration into more tangible policy impact.

Amid rising global uncertainty, IBC is now focused on sharpening research, strengthening advocacy, and building more concrete strategic partnerships. This direction is supported by growing international collaboration and the continued convening of the Indonesia Economic Summit, reinforcing IBC’s role in shaping more responsive and impactful economic policy.

The post Indonesian Business Council Members’ Meeting I – 2026 appeared first on Indonesian Business Council.