Finance Minister highlights positive economic signals from PMI to inflation
Today, several figures have been released that are quite heartening.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara stated that a number of economic indicators are showing positive signals, ranging from Indonesia’s Manufacturing PMI and inflation to the trade balance.
“Today, several figures have been released that are quite heartening,” said Suahasil at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Thursday.
Regarding the Manufacturing PMI, the index has returned to the expansion zone with a level of 52.4 in September 2026. This value represents a reversal from the contraction at the 49.8 level in August 2026 and marks the strongest improvement in business conditions since February 2026.
“This is a sign that our economy is moving,” Suahasil remarked.
On the inflation side, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported that the national economy experienced an annual inflation rate of 3.28 per cent (year-on-year) in September 2026.
This figure remains within the government’s target range of 2.5 per cent, plus or minus 1 per cent.
Inflation was primarily influenced by volatile food components at 5.03 per cent. Meanwhile, administered price inflation reached 3.25 per cent (yoy) and core inflation stood at 2.84 per cent (yoy).
Suahasil mentioned that this positive movement is expected to provide a signal of hope for the business world to continue production processes.
“Alongside the PMI, [this allows] the continuation of production processes, producing more goods and services, and growing the economy,” she added.
A positive trend was also observed in Indonesia’s trade balance for August 2026, which recorded a surplus of US$3.35 billion.
This performance was supported by exports growing by 6.72 per cent (yoy) amidst rising international commodity prices and manufacturing expansion among several major trading partners.
Meanwhile, imports were recorded at US$23.26 billion (up 19.09 per cent yoy), with the increase primarily originating from raw/supporting materials, accompanied by an increase in capital goods imports, indicating the continuation of production and investment activities within the country.
Cumulatively, from January to August 2026, the surplus reached US$7.25 billion, influenced by an increase in export value of 4.74 per cent (cumulative-to-cumulative/ctc) alongside an increase in imports of 19.84 per cent (ctc).
Finance Minister Suahasil also touched upon the expansion of Bank Indonesia’s underlying monetary operations. Bonds from PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero), or PT SMI, and PT Sarana Multigriya Finansial (Persero), or PT SMF, can now be used in repo operations with Bank Indonesia.
“This will drive the economy forward, and this is a good fundamental for our economy in the future,” she said.