Jakarta, 21 May 2026 — PT Bank SMBC Indonesia Tbk (“SMBC Indonesia”), as a universal bank with comprehensive financial services, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the strengthening of financial system stability and national economic resilience through the holding of the SMBC Indonesia Economic Forum 2026 which was held in Jakarta, May 19, 2026. Carrying the theme “Resilience in a Shifting Global Landscape”, this forum highlighted the importance of maintaining financial system stability, strengthening adaptive strategies, and encouraging sustainable investment amidst global dynamics.

Amidst the increasingly dynamic global economic landscape, Indonesia needs to maintain a balance between growth and stability. Challenges such as geopolitical dynamics, exchange rate fluctuations, and pressure on fiscal space are factors that require careful anticipation. In this context, synergy between the government, the financial sector, and business actors is key to maintaining national economic resilience while opening new growth opportunities.

Masyita Crystallin, Head of Economics Portfolio Alignment and Sustainability at Danantara Indonesia, highlighted in her keynote speech the importance of Indonesia's strategic instruments, such as Danantara, in addressing geopolitical fragmentation, energy volatility, and changes in the global trade architecture.

"Danantara's current focus encompasses several strategic sectors, namely minerals, digital energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare, financial services, infrastructure utilities, industrial assets, food, and industry. Most importantly, Danantara not only focuses on national economic impact and generating sustainable returns, but also actively engages in available investment opportunities."

SMBC Indonesia President Director Henoch Munandar stated that the financial sector plays a strategic role in strengthening economic resilience, particularly in ensuring optimal intermediation and supporting long-term investment flows. In this context, banks must be able to bridge the financing needs of the business sector with growing investment opportunities.

"We see the importance of maintaining stability as a foundation in an era of uncertainty, while ensuring that growth momentum is maintained. Amidst global dynamics, this requires close collaboration between the government, public and private sectors. In line with this, we are holding the SMBC Indonesia Economic Forum 2026 with the hope that it will provide a space for constructive dialogue between stakeholders, while also enriching perspectives in responding to future economic dynamics," he said.

Strengthening Economic Transformation and Investor Confidence

From a global perspective, Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore, stated that in facing current global dynamics, Indonesia can implement several strategic approaches. One of these is maintaining and appreciating the consistency of ASEAN countries as a region that has successfully maintained peace without major wars for the past 47 years.

"Facing geopolitical competition, it will be difficult for us to act alone. However, collectively, if all ASEAN member countries unite and convey the same message, the impact will be much stronger. That's why ASEAN is such a crucial instrument," he said.

Meanwhile, from a macroeconomic perspective, Senior Economist Raden Pardede highlighted the importance of transforming Indonesia's economic structure amidst global pressures. He argued that economic growth cannot rely on natural resources but must be driven by technological innovation and digitalization.

"Economic transformation must move from agriculture to manufacturing, then to services, while simultaneously increasing productivity and human resource quality. Ultimately, successful countries are those that are able to master technology and create high-value-added industrialization," Raden said.

Meanwhile, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, Executive Director of Indikator Politik Indonesia, emphasized the importance of maintaining certainty and consistency in policy in the face of current economic dynamics, particularly to maintain the confidence of business actors and investors.

"The most rational thing for the business world is certainty. Businesses cannot be given uncertainty and volatility; what they need is clear policy direction, figures, and data," he said.

Furthermore, a panel discussion session with Lilis Setiadi, President Director of PT Batavia Prosperindo Asset Management, and Arief Wana, Managing Partner of PT Ashmore Asset Management Indonesia Tbk, also discussed the prospects for the bond and stock markets in Indonesia in 2026, which are considered relatively positive. In the bond market, high volatility due to global and domestic risks requires agility and diversification through shorter portfolio durations and strict selection of bond credit quality. Meanwhile, stock investment strategies require high selectivity, focusing on sustainable sectors and defensive strategies amidst stock volatility and sector rotation due to geopolitics.

Through the SMBC Indonesia Economic Forum 2026, SMBC Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to continue playing a strategic partner for customers and stakeholders in navigating economic dynamics. Going forward, SMBC Indonesia will continue to provide innovative and comprehensive financial solutions.

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