IES 2027 Highlights the Challenge of Turning Economic Growth into Public Prosperity
Jakarta, 13 October 2026 — The Indonesian Business Council (IBC) , an independent, non-profit association with members from the Indonesian business leaders in…
Read emphasised the importance of social impact as a measure of economic growth. “Growth and investment must strengthen businesses, boost productivity, and create jobs that offer better incomes. Through IES 2027, we aim to encourage collective action to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared more widely across society,” said Arsjad.
The business sector therefore plays a crucial role in expanding the benefits of economic growth. As companies grow, the economic impact from their business extends beyond direct employment to include suppliers, distributors, contractors, service providers, and small businesses that form part of its value chain.
IBC CEO Sofyan A. Djalil said that IES 2027 would broaden the economic discussion beyond simply pursuing growth targets. “GDP remains an important indicator of economic direction, but prosperity cannot be measured by a single figure. We also need to look at the jobs created, productivity, people's incomes, business opportunities, and their ability to improve their standard of living. These are the aspects we aim to place greater emphasis on at IES 2027,” said Sofyan.
Discussions at the launch of IES 2027 focused on which indicators, beyond GDP, should be considered to assess whether economic progress is genuinely improving people’s lives. IES 2027 will also explore how economic growth can create jobs, reduce inequality, expand opportunities, and improve living standards.
Arsjad emphasised that this agenda does not diminish the importance of economic growth. On the contrary, Indonesia needs stronger growth to enable companies to invest, expand their capacity, and create more economic opportunities. “Growth and prosperity are not two separate agendas. What we need to build is a stronger connection between the two. When businesses grow, workers advance, local enterprises gain opportunities, and families earn better incomes, that is when growth begins to drive prosperity,” said Arsjad.
The launch of IES 2027 also marks the beginning of a series of engagements with the business community, strategic partners, international organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders ahead of the summit. IBC aims to position IES 2027 as a platform for the government, business sector, and society to bring together diverse perspectives and foster collaboration to strengthen the impact of economic development.
