Airlangga Reveals Gold Investment Could Deliver 60% Return in a Year
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto outlined the potential profits from gold investment as prices rise in a global context of uncertainty, noting that returns could reach up to 60% in a year. He made the remarks before Chief Investment Officer Danantara Pandu Sjahrir of BPI at the launch of Indonesia’s Bullion Ecosystem Roadmap in Jakarta on Friday, 6 March 2026. ‘If gold investment yields 60% in a year, where else would you invest, Mr Pandu? This is evidenced by BSI and Pegadaian,’ Airlangga said.
Amid rising global economic uncertainty, including geostrategic tensions between Iran and the United States, gold prices have risen notably. The movement in prices and the increasing amount of gold managed through bullion activities reflect rising public literacy and awareness in using gold as an investment instrument and hedge.
‘The bullion business activities, especially gold, that have been pioneered should be optimally utilised to contribute to the real economy,’ Airlangga said.
In the medium term, strengthening the bullion ecosystem is expected to support economic transformation toward the 8% growth target in 2029 as set in RPJMN 2025-2029. The presence of a bullion bank is seen as a key part of the strategy, particularly in promoting the downstreaming of gold and creating added value domestically.
Strengthening this ecosystem is being pursued through the integration of the national gold value chain from upstream capacity and refinery to downstream bullion financial services. Through savings, financing, trading and custody services, the domestic gold supply is expected to be utilised more optimally while deepening the national gold market.
Performance of bullion financial institutions: PT Pegadaian reported that customer numbers rose from 3.2 million in February 2025 to 5.6 million in February 2026 following the inauguration of bullion activities. In the same period, public gold savings rose from 10.5 tonnes to 19.25 tonnes.
Overall, as of February 2026 Pegadaian recorded total assets under management in its gold business line of 147.8 tonnes including captive pawns of 94 tonnes, with total bullion business activity assets under management at 40.59 tonnes or around Rp 102 trillion.
Positive developments were also seen at Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI). Total gold assets under management by BSI, including instalment, pawn and gold savings before the launch of Bullion Business Activities in January 2025, rose from 16.85 tonnes to 22.5 tonnes by February 2026. Gold savings customers increased significantly from 531,329 in December 2025 to 766,742 in February 2026.
Various strategic steps have been taken to strengthen the national bullion ecosystem, including the issuance of tax incentive policies and a fatwa from DSN-MUI providing certainty for the development of Shariah-based bullion activities. In addition, the ecosystem is being strengthened through enhanced coordination among stakeholders and increased cooperation with various international institutions.
On this occasion, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) launched the Roadmap for the Development and Strengthening of Bullion Activities and Ecosystem 2026-2031 as a direction for developing upstream, downstream and bullion financial services sectors. In addition, the initial stage of forming the Indonesia Bullion Market Association (IBMA) has begun as a forum for coordinating national gold industry players and government strategic partners.
‘Through strengthening an integrated and globally competitive bullion ecosystem, we optimise the potential of national gold to support financial system stability and sustainable economic growth. A year since Bank Bullion arrived, assets are strong, the public is calm,’ Airlangga concluded.