Jakarta – Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Indonesia and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anindya Novyan Bakrie, emphasized that ABAC Meeting I 2026 marks an initial momentum to advance Asia-Pacific regional integration through strengthening both physical and non-physical infrastructure to increase investment and trade flows.

“One of the key focuses discussed earlier was regional integration integrating infrastructure, both hard and soft. This is very important because ultimately we aim to attract investment and expand trade,” said Anindya, popularly known as Anin, during the Press Conference of ABAC Meeting I 2026 at the Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta on Monday (February 9, 2026).

Anindya stated that ABAC Meeting I produced several discussions, including within the sustainability working group, where Indonesia proposed the establishment of a Carbon Center of Excellence as a concrete contribution to the regional cooperation agenda. The meeting also formulated proposals in the financial sector, particularly promoting an inclusive financial system or financial inclusion.

“So we are not only acting as the event organizer, but we are also contributing to the sub-agenda. We are even bringing lessons learned from Indonesia to the world,” Anin explained.

Furthermore, Anin noted that the presence of four ministers—Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, and Minister of Trade Budi Santoso—during the two-day meeting was utilized to promote Indonesia’s investment and trade opportunities to international delegates as part of strengthening synergy between the government and the business sector under the Indonesia Incorporated framework.

“We are grateful that over the past two days four ministers attended to, in a sense, ‘sell’ Indonesia, so that investment and trade can grow even further,” Anin stressed.

Regarding the enhancement of trade and investment, Anin underscored that ABAC Meeting I also serves as a milestone highlighting the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector. He revealed that Indonesia aims to achieve investment and trade targets capable of surpassing Vietnam in the global trade market.

“Indonesia exports about US$250 billion annually, while Vietnam exports around US$500 billion per year. So what must we do together—this cannot be done by the government alone, nor by the private sector alone—to improve all of this?” said Anin.

Meanwhile, ABAC Member and Coordinating Vice Chair for Human Development, Culture, and Sustainable Development at Kadin Indonesia, Shinta W. Kamdani, added that Indonesia is also advancing several legacy agendas, including carbon-related initiatives linked to sustainable financing, while leveraging various side events to promote investment and trade opportunities, including for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“This is an opportunity that can be optimized for cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries. We are also taking advantage of events like this so that Indonesia can attract more investment and trade,” said Shinta.

In addition, ABAC Indonesia Member and Kadin Vice Chair for State-Owned Enterprises, Kartiko Wirjoatmodjo, commonly known as Tiko, explained that the financial discussion track focuses on four main priorities: payment system integration, private capital mobility, digital currency development, and sustainable financing and financial inclusion.

“In Indonesia, I believe sustainable finance—particularly financial inclusion—is already very advanced, because we have programs such as KUR and (PNM) Mekaar that can serve as examples for other countries in poverty alleviation,” said Tiko.

Meanwhile, ABAC 2026 Chair Li Fanrong emphasized the importance of the ABAC 2026 theme, “Openness, Connectivity, Synergy,” in today’s global environment. According to Li, the theme is intended to address global uncertainty that continues to affect the business community across the Asia-Pacific region.

“These principles are not abstract aspirations, but practical necessities to sustain growth, strengthen supply chains, and ensure the region continues to function as a driver of global economic prosperity,” said Li Fanrong.

Under the theme “Openness, Connectivity, Synergy,” the Asia-Pacific business community reaffirmed its commitment to open markets and regional integration, positioning collaborative innovation as a key pillar for achieving sustainable economic growth. As the opening meeting of this year’s series, ABAC Meeting I sets a strategic direction focused on practical business solutions to strengthen long-term resilience and prosperity in the region.

During the meeting, ABAC Meeting I 2026 discussed five key topics across four working groups and one task force: Working Group I Regional Economic Integration led by Anna Curzon (ABAC New Zealand), Working Group II Sustainability led by Julia Torreblanca (ABAC Peru), Working Group III Digital and Innovation led by Janet De Silva (ABAC Canada), Working Group IV Connectivity led by Zeng Qi (ABAC China), and the Finance and Economics Task Force.

All discussions will produce policy recommendations to be submitted to APEC member governments and APEC Economic Leaders at the conclusion of the meeting series later this year in China.

Following the Jakarta meeting, the ABAC 2026 series will continue with ABAC Meeting II in Mexico City, Mexico (April 22–25, 2026), ABAC Meeting III in Pattaya, Thailand (July 7–10, 2026), and ABAC Meeting IV in Shenzhen, China (November 14–16, 2026).

ABAC Meeting I 2026 was sponsored by Sinarmas, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero), HARUM Energy, BYD, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero), and LESSO, with strategic partners RGE (Royal Golden Eagle) Group and PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi Tbk (Emtek Group), and supported by Bluebird Group, Alun Alun Indonesia, Sarinah, Mustika Ratu, and PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas Tbk.