Jakarta, June 4, 2026 – The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), stated that grassroots economies are key to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Indonesia amid increasingly complex global dynamics. SBY delivered this message during the Asia Grassroots Forum 2026 at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta on Thursday (4/6).
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, attended the Asia Grassroots Forum 2026 at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta, Thursday (4/6/2026).
SBY also emphasized that strong leadership is not only about managing crises and economic growth, but also about maintaining public trust.
“The challenge ahead is how to build resilient communities in an era of disruption. Financial inclusion is not merely a moral objective, but also an economic strategy to create resilience and social stability,” said SBY.
At the same event, Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya, underscored the importance of strengthening a creative economy ecosystem that creates broader opportunities for public participation and empowers creative economy players starting from the grassroots level.
“The future of creative economy transformation must be built through collaboration and community empowerment. Each creative economy subsector plays a strategic role in generating added value, creating new business opportunities, and strengthening national economic resilience. In this way, the foundation of the creative economy as the new engine of growth can begin in regions across the country,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Asia Grassroots Forum 2026 is an annual gathering that serves as a collaborative platform for policymakers, investors, financial institutions, startup founders, development partners, and grassroots practitioners from across Asia and beyond. This international forum aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and investment that strengthen grassroots economies and advance long-term financial health. The objective aligns with this year’s theme, “Enabling Growth, Elevating Financial Health.”
Founder and CEO of Amartha, Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, stated that strengthening grassroots economies must begin with the belief that every family and every small and medium-sized enterprise has the potential to create change, highlighting the importance of sustainable inclusion for the future of the nation’s economy.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“Economic progress should not be measured solely by how fast we grow, but by how strong the foundations are within families, the quality of education available to children, and the opportunities for future generations to achieve prosperity. Therefore, accessible cross-sector collaboration will create broader opportunities for society,” explained Andi Taufan Garuda Putra.
The Asia Grassroots Forum 2026 also marked the launch of the Indonesian Coalition for Financial Health, a collaborative platform that brings together the private sector, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and communities to expand access to financing, technology, and education, while fostering a more inclusive and adaptive economic ecosystem in response to global change.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Also attending the forum was the Presidential Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation, Mari Elka Pangestu. The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Special Staff to the Minister for Communication, Media, and Public Services, Renanda Bachtar. The forum was further attended by leaders of financial institutions, industry players, and representatives of youth organizations engaged in leadership, entrepreneurship, and social contribution initiatives, including Biru Muda Project.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
