PSBM XXVI Attended by 7 Governors, Thousands of Merchants Liven Up Business Meeting in Makassar
The 26th Meeting of Bugis Makassar Merchants (PSBM XXVI), held from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Claro Hotel in Makassar, unfolded with great enthusiasm and strategic significance. Approximately 3,000 participants from various regions in Indonesia and abroad took part in the forum that brought together merchants, government officials, and investors.
This annual event, initiated by the Central Board of the Sulawesi Selatan Family Harmony Association (BPP KKSS), was attended by seven governors with ties to Sulawesi Selatan, namely Andi Sudirman Sulaiman (South Sulawesi), Andi Sumangerukka (Southeast Sulawesi), Sherly Tjoanda (North Maluku), Yulius Selvanus Komaling (North Sulawesi), Apolo Safanpo (South Papua), Zainal Arifin Paliwang (North Kalimantan), and Rudy Mas’ud (East Kalimantan).
In addition, several national figures were present, including Minister of Agriculture and General Chairman of KKSS and IKA Unhas Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan, and Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla.
The forum was also attended by regents from various regions, members of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sulawesi Selatan’s regional leadership coordination forum, and key figures such as PSBM initiator Aksa Mahmud and Deputy Chairman of the Regional Representative Council Tamsil Linrung. Meanwhile, Jusuf Kalla was unable to attend due to a peace mission in Thailand, and Alwi Hamu had passed away.
The Chairman of the PSBM XXVI Organising Committee, Ibnu Munzir, revealed that out of the total participants, around 2,000 were successful entrepreneurs from Sulawesi Selatan scattered across various areas. He emphasised that PSBM continues to evolve as a strategic space for strengthening business networks and encouraging investment.
“This year, we are presenting a more interactive format, not just plenary forums but also business matching classes that directly connect business actors with investors,” he stated.
Embracing the theme “Resilient Merchants, Growing Economy,” PSBM XXVI focused on strengthening economic resilience while encouraging the emergence of new business actors. The forum also served as a platform for sharing experiences and discussing future economic opportunities and challenges.
One of the main focuses of the meeting was the development of regional flagship commodities, particularly coffee. The organising committee facilitated meetings between producers, sellers, and buyers to open up broader export opportunities, including the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for exporting South Sulawesi coffee to international markets.
Not solely business-oriented, the PSBM XXVI activities also included social actions through the “KKSS Cares” and “KKSS Shares” programmes as tangible contributions to society.
The Head of the Public Relations Department of BPP KKSS, Suwardi Thahir, stated that the high participation of attendees reflects the strong role of the Bugis Makassar, Mandar, and Toraja merchant communities in driving economic growth.
“Their presence strengthens networks and strategic contributions to national development. We want PSBM to not only be a gathering for maintaining ties but also to have a real impact on the ground,” he said.
With the presence of national figures and business actors across sectors, PSBM XXVI further affirms its position as an important forum in building economic collaboration, expanding investment, and strengthening the role of Bugis Makassar merchants at national and global levels.