Purbaya says Panda Bond AAA rating reflects fiscal credibility

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has said that the yuan- or renminbi-denominated debt instrument, the Panda Bond issued in the Chinese market, has received the highest credit rating, AAA, from a local rating agency.

According to him, this achievement is an indicator that the government’s fiscal policy has gained the trust and recognition of international markets.

“It’s good. That shows that Mr Prabowo’s policy of controlling fiscal affairs is correct. It’s not as people have been saying, that it is brutal and so on — no. It is indeed prudent and careful,” Purbaya said in Jakarta on Thursday.

As is widely known, the government issued the Panda Bond on 23 July 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya believes the AAA rating reflects investor confidence in the government’s fiscal management under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto.

Nevertheless, Purbaya said he had not yet received information on the results of the Panda Bond issuance, as the book-building process is still ongoing.

“I don’t know yet, I haven’t received any information,” he said.

After recording growth of 5.61 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, he estimates that Indonesia’s economy will grow by around 5.4–5.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.

According to him, economic performance is projected to strengthen further in the second semester of 2026, supported by adequate liquidity to sustain economic activity.

“What I know is that in the second semester, the third and fourth quarters will grow even faster. Because there is enough — we will make sure there is enough money in the economic system to drive the economy,” Purbaya said.