Purbaya optimistic about 5.5% economic growth in the first half of 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is optimistic that the national economy will be able to grow above 5.5% in the first half of 2026. “Quarter I may grow above 5.5%. Quarter II will be similar,” Purbaya said at the inauguration of the Planned and Periodic Investment Programme (PINTAR) Mutual Funds at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), Jakarta, on Monday. Purbaya explained that the government is currently focusing on preparing a strong economic foundation to achieve continuously accelerating growth. An example of the government’s efforts is the formation of the Task Force for Accelerating Government Programmes to Support Economic Growth Improvement, led by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. In parallel, the Finance Minister is also improving the performance of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that fiscal authorities can contribute to driving economic growth. That organisational reform is mainly focused on the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). Purbaya stated that the reform steps taken have had a positive impact on tax collection performance, as reflected in tax receipts growing by 20.7% in March 2026. Purbaya believes that national economic growth will be positively driven in the future. Moreover, the domestic economy previously succeeded in maintaining stable performance amid global economic turmoil filled with uncertainty. Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya stated that the government still has room to encourage economic activity in Quarter II, considering that the current period has only reached April 2026. He stated readiness to provide stimuli from various sides to maintain growth momentum. The Finance Minister also opened opportunities to accelerate the realisation of ministry/institution (K/L) spending that is still slow so that funds can flow more quickly into the economic system. Purbaya targets achieving national economic growth of 5.7% in Quarter II-2026.