The contribution of Islamic business activities to Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been estimated at 48%, local authorities reported at the 11th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF).
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto addresses the 11th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF). (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The contribution of Islamic business activities to Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been estimated at 48%, local authorities reported at the 11th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF).
Speaking at the festival, opened in Jakarta on October 30, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Sharia economics and finance play a strategic role in driving sustainable economic growth amid increasingly complex global challenges.
This year festival’s theme of “Synergy of Sharia Economy and Finance in Strengthening Resilience and Sustainable Economic Growth” is in line with the Indonesian Government's efforts to achieve 8% economic growth.
Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo outlined four steps to advance Indonesia's Islamic economy as a form of implementation of the law - the application of halal traceability, the introduction of Sharia Restricted Investment Account (SRIA) products, the launch of the digitalisation of Islamic boarding schools or pesantren products, and the adoption of a National Strategy for Education and Inclusion in Islamic Economics and Finance in Indonesia.
The 5-day festival draws businesses, manufacturers, and distributors of Halal products in the fields of Halal food and beverage, fashion, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. All products introduced at the event have been granted Halal certification and have symbols on their packaging to increase their recognition by buyers.
The event also includes a Halal Fashion Fair and an International Halal Cooking Competition. The first international competition of its kind attracts teams from 15 countries, aiming to honour Halal culinary culture and promote the development of Halal products in Indonesia./.
Indonesia's National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has warned of a shift in terrorism tactics, moving from public attacks to online platforms that target vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
The Indonesian government will start imposing a ban on the import of plastic waste from the beginning of next year, according to Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurrofiq.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto held a close-door meeting with several ministers on October 29 to discuss the current situation of Indonesia's textile industry, particularly focusing on textile giant Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex).
Mohd Azamanizam Baharon, President of the Malay Entrepreneurs and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (PERDASAMA), said digital tools such as point-of-sale systems, automated accounting, cloud-based inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) applications have streamlined MSME operations and improved accuracy.
Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand is recognised as the second safest city in the world for female digital nomads, just after Taipei, Taiwan (China).
Growth will continue to be led by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei due to their large Muslim populations, enabling regulations, access to sukuk, and potentially improving ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed expanding trade and investment based on the bilateral free trade agreement, broadening the mutually beneficial cooperation, including Korean companies' involvement in the Philippines' infrastructure projects, such as maritime bridges, railways, and shipbuilding.
The Thai National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPC) reviewed and approved a framework for assistance to off-season rice farmers in 2025 to mitigate the impact of low global rice prices.
Police apprehended one suspect and seized a 22-wheel truck registered in Vientiane, which had been specially modified to hide and transport the illicit substances.
As the implementation of the regional ASCC Blueprint 2025 and national Project 161 draws to a close, ministries, sectors, and localities have been actively sharing information, exchanging lessons learned, and discussing challenges faced during the implementation process.
Vietnam's modern political image, both domestically and internationally, is becoming clearer and more prominent than ever. Vietnam is pursuing a well-defined reform strategy that is being actively promoted and implemented, reflecting the nation’s commitment to real and meaningful change.
Tokyo will also support Japanese firms in conducting trials in Indonesia to test the speed and security of their equipment. Securing telecom infrastructure contracts there will mark the first entry of Japanese players into this market.
This was the outcome of the 3rd meeting of the Laos - Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) on August 13, within the official visit to the Philippines by Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
The meeting welcomed ADB’s readiness to invest up to 10 billion USD of its own resources over the next decade in support of the APG, including crossborder interconnections, and other APG-related investments (domestic grid strengthening and renewable energy for power export). It also also welcomed investment from the WB through its 2.5 billion USD "Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (ASET-MPA)" programme, approved in 2024 to ramp up renewable energy and promote power trade across the region.
Archaeologists from Australia and Indonesia found the small, chipped tools, used to cut little animals and carve rocks, under the soil in the region of Soppeng in South Sulawesi. Radioactive tracing of these tools and the teeth of animals found around the site were dated at up to 1.48 million years ago.
ASEAN needs about 422 million USD, of which 290 million USD is for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more than 100 million USD for adaptation efforts
In an article published on its website on August 12, the institute underlined that tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death in Southeast Asia.
The news agency quoted Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo as saying that the NCCP directly supports the objectives of MyDIGITAL and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint by unlocking real economic potential, apart from providing a clear direction for the country’s digital transformation journey.
Army battalions comprising thousands of soldiers have been deployed, focusing on agriculture and health tasks throughout Indonesia, particularly in remote areas.
The exemption applies to those who had previously been granted work permits under Section 64 of the Alien Working Management Act 2017, but are unable to return to Cambodia due to the ongoing border control measures between the two countries.
The central bank has said the Thai economy might have grown about 3% annually in the second quarter of 2025 but would feel the impact of US tariffs and weakening consumption later this year.
Speaking at the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference hosted by Malaysia on August 13, the Malaysian Deputy PM, who is also Chairman of the National TVET Council, called on ASEAN member states to promptly address the growing demand for a workforce skilled in digital technology and green transition.
The projects will be managed by the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP). Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said the government is targeting the construction of 100 GW of solar power plants, creating a large market for the domestic battery industry.
