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Batu - East Java has been recognized as a key pillar of regional economic resilience, playing a strategic role in maintaining the stability and endurance of Indonesia’s national economy amid ongoing global pressures. This was conveyed by APINDO Vice Chairman Sanny Iskandar during the Provincial Working Meeting (Rakerkonprov) of APINDO East Java, held on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) in Batu City, Malang.

The forum was attended by several national and regional APINDO leaders, including DPN APINDO Head of Organization Anthony Hilman, APINDO Advisory Board member Hermawan Santoso, and APINDO Bali Vice Chairman for Investment I Wayan Sukarma. In his remarks, Sanny also delivered a message from APINDO Chairwoman Shinta W. Kamdani, emphasizing that the Rakerkonprov serves as a strategic platform to strengthen the contribution of the private sector to regional economic development. East Java, he noted, holds significant potential as a national growth engine, making the role of regional APINDO increasingly crucial in enhancing competitiveness and fostering collaborative economic growth.

Sanny further highlighted that the business climate in 2026 remains under significant pressure due to global uncertainty, particularly geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the United States–Israel. These developments have had direct implications for businesses, including rising energy and raw material costs, inflationary pressures, weakening purchasing power, currency volatility, and disruptions to global supply chains. As a result, production costs have increased, investor confidence has weakened, and overall economic activity has slowed.

In this context, regional economies have become vital buffers for national resilience. East Java stands out with its strong manufacturing base, high investment levels, and substantial contributions to exports, agro-industry, and food security. The presence of strategic industrial zones further reinforces its position as a national manufacturing hub and a key destination for investment.

In the labor sector, the primary challenge has shifted from wage-related issues to productivity enhancement. Imbalances between wage growth, inflation, and productivity risk undermining business competitiveness. Therefore, improving human capital quality, aligning education with industry needs, and strengthening workforce skills are essential to achieving sustainable productivity and economic growth.

During the forum, DPN APINDO Head of Organization Anthony Hilman delivered a session on organizational strengthening under the theme “The Existence and Role of APINDO.” Meanwhile, APINDO East Java Chairman Eddy Widjanarko stressed that the 2026 Rakerkonprov serves as a strategic forum to reinforce organizational consolidation and formulate actionable steps to enhance the private sector’s contribution to regional development. Under the theme “From Wages to Productivity,” APINDO is encouraging collaboration among government, businesses, and workers to improve competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainable welfare.

APINDO East Java continues to play an active role as a strategic partner to the government by strengthening industrial relations, addressing investment bottlenecks, expanding access to financing, and supporting MSME development through collaborative programs. The Rakerkonprov is expected to produce concrete and implementable policy recommendations, strengthen cross-sector synergy, and deliver practical solutions to support inclusive, competitive, and sustainable regional economic growth.

The event was also attended by Batu Deputy Mayor Heli Suyanto, representatives of the Malang City Government, Malang Regency Deputy Regent Lathifah, East Java Manpower Office Head Sigit Priyanto, Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Batu City AKBP Renny Puspita, representatives from the Batu Police, East Java Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) Chairman Adik Dwi Putranto, members of the Batu City Council, executives from Bank Jatim and BRI, representatives from BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, religious leaders, and various business associations including REI, APERSI, PHRI, HIPMI, and PAPTI.