Indonesia’s implementation of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system has significantly improved the country’s business licensing environment by streamlining regulatory procedures and reducing barriers for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are central to its rapidly growing digital economy.

Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) islands present a strategic yet underutilized gateway for boosting Australian investment into Southeast Asia’s largest economy. While Australia’s outbound investment into Indonesia remains low despite recent growth, leveraging Singapore’s infrastructure, connectivity, and business familiarity offers a promising path forward.

Indonesia’s political economy has shifted from the promises of neoliberal globalisation toward a deeply entrenched oligarchic order, where dynastic politics and elite networks dominate governance and resource allocation.

Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa steps into the role of Indonesia’s new finance minister at a challenging time, tasked with navigating a 2026 budget already constrained by President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs while needing to boost tax revenues by 13.5% without rate hikes and cut the fiscal deficit to 2.48% of GDP.

Indonesia’s content moderation framework, under MOCI Regulation No. 5/2020 and refined by Decree No. 522/2024, faces criticism for its opaque enforcement, broad legal definitions, and potential for overreach, which could stifle free expression. The introduction of the SAMAN system adds new moderation measures at a time when the country’s startup ecosystem is struggling, with investments plummeting from USD 10.9 billion in 2021 to USD 800 million in 2024.

Indonesia’s economy remains resilient despite global headwinds, with medium-term growth projected to average 4.8% annually between 2025 and 2027.

Indonesia holds significant potential to enhance food and nutrition security through greater integration of blue foods—nutrient-rich aquatic plants and animals—into its food system. Despite being the second-largest fish producer globally and leading ASEAN in production value, the country struggles with underutilization of marine-based food resources due to challenges in infrastructure, distribution, and policy coherence. Small-scale fisheries dominate the sector but face high post-harvest losses and limited access to markets.

Indonesia’s Q2 2025 GDP growth of 5.12% year-on-year with a sharp 4.04% quarterly jump paints an optimistic picture, driven by surging investment (+6.99%), double-digit export growth (10.67%), and robust gains in manufacturing and digital services.

In April 2025, Indonesia's inflation rate surged to 1.95% year-on-year, marking the highest level since August 2024. This uptick was primarily driven by increased costs during the Eid festivities and the expiration of a temporary 50% electricity tariff rebate, which had previously suppressed housing expenses.