Anindya Bakrie Suddenly Reminds Business Community to Safeguard Cash Flow: What's Going On?

Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman General of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), has reminded business actors to safeguard cash flow amid global economic pressures. This step is deemed crucial for the business community to remain resilient while ensuring the continuity of their operations.

According to Anindya, at the macro level, Indonesia’s balance sheet remains relatively sound. However, global pressures are impacting business actors’ income statements, making liquidity management the primary strategy to uphold.

“Well, the most important thing is at the company level in the micro context. One, if we look at Indonesia’s balance sheet, it’s okay. The income statements worldwide are under strain. So, like it or not, what must be maintained is the cash flow,” Anindya stated during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Friday (24/4/2026).

He stressed that maintaining cash flow is no easy task, especially amid exchange rate volatility and pressures from geopolitical impacts. The rise in the US dollar exchange rate, he said, has a significant effect on government budgetary needs.

In this situation, Anindya mentioned that the government is seeking the best formula to maintain stability. For the business community, the main focus remains on survival capabilities and spotting future opportunities.

“But what’s important for the business world is to have secure cash flow to look ahead. Because? In the business world, from crisis to crisis, Indonesia has factually always survived and emerged stronger,” he said.

Furthermore, Anindya revealed survey results conducted by his side, showing differences in strategies among business actors. He described this phenomenon as a “fork,” where some see the current conditions as opportunities, while others choose to hold steady.

“If we look at the survey results, what’s interesting is that a fork phenomenon is occurring, some going left, some right. Those going left say, okay, this is temporary, let’s be efficient but it’s actually a chance to invest,” he said.

“But those going right say, yes, we really need to be efficient and shift to a lower gear. Now, these two are what I see happening, similar to when the market drops, meaning a chance to buy or a chance to cut losses,” he continued.

Nevertheless, he assessed that the resilience of Indonesia’s business community is starting to improve. However, this does not mean business actors can operate entirely without support.

“But if we look at the sentiment, indeed over time, the immunisation of the business world is starting to appear stronger. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need help,” Anindya said.

As a strategic partner to the government, Kadin is said to continuously provide input while opening new opportunities, whether through trade or investment. These efforts are aimed at ensuring business continuity and preserving jobs amid global pressures.

“What we are doing as a strategic partner to the government is to continuously provide inputs, while together opening new opportunities, be it called trade, investment, and so on. But that’s actually the way to survive and keep jobs intact,” he explained.

On the other hand, he reminded that pressures on employment do not only come from economic conditions but also from structural changes such as digitalisation.

“We also need to be prepared that, like it or not, jobs worldwide will face pressures due to the intelligent digital era and so on,” he concluded.