Jakarta – The 2025 National Leadership Meeting (Rapimnas) of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) was officially opened symbolically by Kadin Indonesia Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie and Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Ahmad Muzani, together with Kadin Vice Chairman for Organization, Communication, and Regional Empowerment (OKP) Erwin Aksa, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Central Jakarta, Monday (01/12/2025).

Kadin Indonesia Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie emphasized that job creation is key to driving sustainable national economic growth.

“Our focus is on how we can expand employment opportunities, because ultimately that is what will push our economic growth to 5%, 6%, 7%, and even 8%,” Anindya—often called Anin—said in his opening remarks.

Anin underscored that the business community is now in a strategic position to contribute to economic recovery by generating employment across sectors and regions.

“We should be proud because we have the opportunity to make significant contributions that are very much needed at this time,” he said.

One of the programs with direct impact on employment is the establishment of SPPG (Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units) or Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens. To date, Kadin and business actors have built 500 out of the targeted 1,000 MBG kitchens.

“Each kitchen employs 50 people. That means 50 times 500—25,000 workers—and we are proud of this achievement,” Anin explained.

He also noted that the program is funded independently by the business community without bank financing.

“Rp750 billion came directly from our colleagues here—without bank loans—because of their trust in the government,” Anin added.

Anin highlighted that job creation relies heavily on the resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which absorb the majority of Indonesia’s workforce. However, he pointed out a decline in credit performance within this segment.

“What is currently facing challenges is the MSME and micro sector. This is something we must think through carefully because they represent 90% of the workforce,” he said.

As part of Kadin’s quick-win programs, the placement of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) is also an important tool for expanding employment opportunities.

“We deployed 20,000 Indonesian migrant workers within a year,” Anin said, noting that placements were made to countries in need of Indonesian labor, such as Japan, Canada, the United States, and several European countries.

Anin further assured that policies on job creation are being implemented down to the regional level through strong coordination between the central board, provincial boards, and business associations.

“Kadin’s task is to ensure that the policies introduced at the top reach the regional levels,” he stressed.

To further boost employment absorption, Anin said Kadin continues to push four acceleration programs: the SPPG Development Task Force, the Unfit Housing Renovation Task Force (RTLH), the Free Health Checkup Task Force (PKG), and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Task Force (PMI).

According to Anin, job creation is the foundation for higher economic growth. He is confident that increased employment will bolster domestic consumption and investment.

“We are optimistic that under President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran, we can achieve growth of up to 8%,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, MPR RI Speaker Ahmad Muzani said in his remarks that Kadin Indonesia plays an important and noble role in strengthening the nation.

“Indonesia will be strong if its people have decent jobs. Who plays that role? Kadin does. Kadin’s noble duty is to provide jobs for the people, to help the country, and to ensure every citizen has a proper livelihood,” he said.

The 2025 Kadin Rapimnas was attended by 1,653 participants, comprising members of the national board, provincial Kadin chairpersons across Indonesia, as well as leaders of associations and federations (Extraordinary Members/ALB) within Kadin Indonesia.

The Rapimnas carried the theme “Kadin Working Together to Expand Employment Opportunities for Indonesia’s Welfare and Self-Reliance,” with the subtheme “Strengthening Innovation, Productivity, Investment, and Trade: Harnessing National Potential for Golden Indonesia 2045 and a Prosperous Society.”

On the first day of Rapimnas 2025, Plenary Session 1 was held under the theme “Indonesia’s Economic, Investment, and Stability Outlook 2026.” Speakers included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan Taufanto, and Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia Destry Damayanti.

Parallel plenary sessions also took place featuring several ministers and high-ranking officials, including Minister of MSMEs Maman Abdurrahman, Minister of Housing and Settlements Maruarar Sirait, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, BRIN Chief Arif Satria, Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana, Attorney General Burhanuddin, and Secretary-General of Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI) Dwiyono.

The agenda continued with Plenary Session 2, titled “Indonesia’s Economic Outlook 2026: Fiscal Reform Strategies for Inclusive Growth,” featuring Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.

The first day of Rapimnas 2025 concluded with the 2025 Kadin Appreciation Night, attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani and Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin.