Jakarta – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Indonesia, together with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC), held ABAC Meeting I 2026 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, on February 7–9, 2026.

The meeting serves as a strategic forum bringing together business leaders from the 21 APEC member economies to formulate business-sector policy recommendations that will be submitted to APEC Economic Leaders.

In hosting ABAC Meeting I 2026 under the theme “Openness, Connectivity, Synergy,” Indonesia initiated the strengthening of connectivity as a key strategic agenda for ABAC 2026, in line with efforts to enhance regional economic integration and facilitate trade and investment flows.

Chair of ABAC Indonesia and Chairman of Kadin Indonesia Anindya Novyan Bakrie emphasized Indonesia’s readiness to support an ABAC work agenda that delivers tangible, action-oriented outcomes, while reaffirming full support for APEC and ABAC under China’s chairmanship.

Anindya, commonly known as Anin, explained that the APEC 2026 theme focuses on building a prosperous Asia-Pacific community, with priorities on openness, innovation, and cooperation.

“We hope that through APEC, we can translate today’s geopolitical realities and business dynamics into practical policy recommendations that we will present to the leaders in Shenzhen this coming November,” said Anin during the Opening Ceremony of ABAC Meeting I 2026 on Saturday (February 7, 2026).

Anin also underscored the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a global hub for trade and investment.

“I have been involved in APEC since 2009 and have always valued every opportunity to engage in this region, which we all know is a trade region, an investment region, and a region that drives prosperity, growth, peace, and stability,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto highlighted the importance of APEC to Indonesia’s economy, noting that around 70 percent of Indonesia’s exports are destined for APEC member economies.

“Therefore, Indonesia needs to ensure that APEC functions well, as it represents one of the world’s largest economic regions. Indonesia requires strong economic growth, and through APEC economies we can expand exports,” he said.

Airlangga emphasized that the current global economic situation is crucial, as the global landscape now requires not only recovery but also transformation.

“It also demands fundamental transformation as we focus on accelerating inclusive regional growth through structural reforms. We must recognize that our strength lies in our integration,” he added.

He further noted that Indonesia continues to promote digitalization, including strengthening cross-border digital payment systems that are already connected with several countries such as South Korea, Japan, and parts of the Middle East, and will continue to be expanded to other APEC member economies.

“In addition, APEC includes both China and the United States, making them two highly strategic markets for Indonesia,” he stressed.

Airlangga added that the meeting is expected to generate proposals from the business community for governments, which will later be discussed at the APEC Leaders’ Council in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19, 2026.

“I look forward to our dialogue today as we bridge the gap between policy and the private sector to build a more resilient Asia-Pacific,” he concluded.

ABAC Meeting I 2026 discusses five key topics across four working groups and one task force: Working Group I Regional Economic Integration, Working Group II Sustainability, Working Group III Digital and Innovation, Working Group IV Connectivity, and the Finance and Economics Task Force.

Indonesia encourages the forum to serve as a catalyst for strengthening trade, investment, and more open and sustainable economic collaboration in Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

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

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).

The event 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.