Anindya Bakrie Urges Indonesia to “Move Up the Ladder” Through Downstreaming at Forbes Global CEO Conference

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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Kadin Indonesia Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie has underscored Indonesia’s determination to move up the global economic ladder by accelerating downstream industrialization. Speaking at the 23rd Forbes Global CEO Conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, he said downstream processing is key to ensuring Indonesia’s growth is sustainable and inclusive.

Anindya noted that Indonesia stands at a pivotal point amid the global supply chain realignment. Businesses worldwide, he said, must be agile enough to seize new opportunities emerging from shifts in global trade routes and partnerships.

He emphasized that Indonesia’s trade diplomacy should extend beyond its current cooperation with the United States. “Indonesia has a trade agreement with America, but we’re not stopping there. We’re also going to the European Union and to Canada,” he said on the sidelines of the conference held at The St. Regis Jakarta.

Anindya explained that these partnerships are part of the government’s broader effort to help both large corporations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) diversify their export markets. “The agreements with the EU and Canada will help our business players—from big companies to SMEs—sell similar goods to new markets. These include shoes, garments, textiles, furniture, and electronics,” he said.

He highlighted that Indonesia’s vast reserves of critical minerals could become a major bargaining chip in international trade negotiations, provided these resources are processed domestically. He cited nickel as an example: “A decade ago, raw nickel exports were worth only US$1 billion. After downstreaming, the value has soared to US$34 billion. That’s why we stress that Indonesia wants to move up the ladder,” he said.

Anindya, who also serves as CEO of PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk, added that beyond industrial transformation, Indonesia must urgently create jobs to absorb its young and growing workforce. He estimated that the country needs between 2.5 million and 3 million new jobs every year to meet demographic demands.

He called on all stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating job creation while maintaining economic stability and inclusiveness. “Our country has a young population, and we must ensure that the large do not simply get larger while the small remain small,” he cautioned, warning that a lack of equitable job opportunities could worsen income inequality.

The 23rd Forbes Global CEO Conference officially opened in Jakarta, drawing around 380 participants, including top CEOs, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Held under the theme “The World Pivots,” the conference explores how global business leaders navigate a rapidly changing landscape marked by geopolitical turbulence and extraordinary technological advancements. For executives and investors alike, faster innovation and bold strategic moves are seen as essential to thrive in this new era of transformation.