Bappenas highlights Islamic economy as key to growth amid crisis

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard has said that the development of the Islamic economy is crucial for Indonesia's national economic growth amid heightened geopolitical tensions and global crises.

Speaking in “Islamic Economic Outlook Seminar 2026: Scenario & Strategic Options from Regional Crisis" here on Wednesday, he noted that global uncertainty becomes increasingly more complex. Geopolitical tensions are directly impacting energy and food prices, logistics costs, as well as investment flows.

He asked stakeholders not to assume that global volatility is temporary and the situation will eventually return to normal, as changing international landscapes become the new normal.

“The real question is how we transform crises into opportunities from economic transformation. And this is precisely where the relevance of the Islamic economy becomes even more apparent,” Ruddyard stated in the seminar.

He emphasized that the Islamic economy goes beyond mere religious identity or preference. Rather, the system offers a tangible framework that balances economic growth, social justice, and sustainability.

"When we strengthen the halal industry and the Islamic economy, we are in fact building an economic system that is more resilient, more inclusive, and more sustainable," he said.

An inclusive and sustainable economy is vital to address high energy prices, broader regional instability, as well as food insecurity due to global conflicts, Ruddyard added.

To mitigate these risks, the country must avoid excessive reliance on a single energy source or market. Consequently, the national economic strategy must shift from short-term responses toward structural transformation to ensure long-term economic resilience.

The government has outlined three priorities to bolster economic resilience, namely strengthening economic integration among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), accelerating downstreaming in the halal industry, and enhancing integrated cross-sectoral coordination.

Ruddyard stated that through downstreaming programs, Indonesia aims to become a producer, innovator, and central hub within the global halal value chain.

“Ultimately, the strength of a nation is not determined by the size of its resources. It is determined by its ability to turn uncertainty into opportunity, challenges into innovation, and crisis into momentum for progress,” he concluded.

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Translator: Uyu Septiyati Liman

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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