Jakarta - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), Anindya Novyan Bakrie, has expressed strong support for strengthening the government's procurement system through the transformation of the E-Catalog system to Version 6.

This was conveyed during his remarks at the opening of the Indonesia Catalogue Expo and Forum (ICEF) and the Indonesia Procurement Forum and Expo (IPFE) held at the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) headquarters, Epicentrum area, Jakarta, on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Anindya, popularly known as Anin, praised the e-procurement system introduced by LKPP as a sophisticated, efficient, and transparent digital platform that opens significant opportunities for regional businesses.

“E-procurement enables faster, more convenient, and improved processes, while minimizing the potential for poor governance. Most importantly, it creates new opportunities, particularly in empowering regional entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of domestic industries,” said Anin.

He emphasized that Kadin Indonesia's involvement aligns with its two core mandates: acting as a strategic partner to the government and serving as a strong umbrella organization for its members—including regional Kadin chapters and sectoral associations.

Anin also highlighted how global dynamics, such as the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, have impacted Indonesia’s national trade.

“Despite the turbulence, Indonesia still records a trade surplus of USD 18 billion with the U.S.—a competitive figure when compared to Vietnam’s USD 130 billion. Relocating part of Indonesia’s USD 40 billion in oil and gas imports could enhance our leverage in trade negotiations,” he explained.

He added that beyond neutrality, Indonesia should aim to increase exports to the U.S., particularly in footwear, garments, and electronics.

At the same time, the U.S. is pushing for increased exports of its own commodities to Indonesia, such as soybeans, cotton, and wheat. In response, Anin emphasized the need for a clear export strategy over the next 60 days of bilateral negotiations.

As part of Kadin’s contribution, Anin announced plans to submit four pilot projects to the government before August 17, 2025, which include:

SPPG (Nutritional Service Unit): Community-based kitchens to improve public nutrition.

PKG (Free Health Checks): Public health screening services modeled after pandemic-era vaccination campaigns.

Migrant Worker Deployment: Expanding skilled labor export and increasing foreign exchange through overseas employment.

Affordable Housing Development: Building prototypes for livable and accessible homes for communities.

These initiatives, Anin said, aim to reflect local input and support ongoing regulatory reforms to ensure Indonesia’s competitiveness, both in the U.S. and globally.

“LKPP’s procurement system is a key pillar of good governance, with a procurement value reaching IDR 1,160 trillion (approx. USD 70 billion). This generates strong enthusiasm across central and regional levels,” said Anin.

He expressed confidence that Indonesia will surpass its regional peers economically over the next five years—provided it can withstand and adapt amid transitional challenges.

“Let’s build a more advanced Indonesia. I’m not saying the next 18 months will be easy, but if we manage this well, five years from now Indonesia will likely be in a stronger position than our neighbors. The key is to know when to defend and when to strike. The world is shifting, and we must be prepared to take our opportunity,” Anin concluded.

Meanwhile, Head of LKPP Hendrar Prihadi welcomed the collaboration between LKPP, Kadin Indonesia, and the Indonesian Procurement Experts Association (IAPI) in organizing the ICEF and IPFE.

“First of all, I’d like to thank Kadin Indonesia and IAPI for partnering with us. This is a valuable space to showcase products and services needed by the government. It’s a great opportunity for domestic industries, as the market is clear—government procurement, which averages nearly IDR 1,200 trillion (USD 72 billion) annually,” said Hendrar.

He expressed hope that the upcoming ICEF and IPFE event—to be held from July 30 to August 1, 2025, at JIEXPO Kemayoran—will be attended by local governments, ministries, and state agencies, to further maximize the use of domestic products.

“We hope the event will be a success and that ministries, agencies, and local governments can witness first-hand the range of Indonesian-made products ready to be purchased and used for public benefit,” he concluded.