Indonesia seeks healthcare investment and international partnerships to support growth and employment.
Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, called for increased investment and international partnerships to support the country’s 8% economic growth target at the KADIN Monthly Economic Diplomatic Breakfast (K-MEd) in Jakarta on 9 October 2026. Organised by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at the Ministry of Health, the forum examined opportunities to develop domestic medical industries and expand employment. The event carried the theme “Building National Health Systems, Growing Regional Resilience to Scale Global Impact”.
Minister Sadikin cited annual health expenditure of approximately US$40 billion, highlighting the potential to attract investment and develop Indonesia’s healthcare industry.
“The health sector has enormous potential. It is a promising sector that could grow by more than 8%, and employment in the sector could also grow by more than 8%. That is why we are discussing investment opportunities and cooperation with other countries,” Minister Sadikin said.
He explained that raising Indonesia’s health expenditure to levels comparable with neighbouring countries could unlock further economic opportunities. According to the minister, matching Malaysia’s level could generate an additional US$84 billion in expenditure, while reaching Singapore’s level could represent potential annual spending of approximately US$840 billion. The published report did not explain the methodology behind these estimates.
“This is an opportunity. The health sector should therefore be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment,” Minister Sadikin said.
The Indonesian Government was promoting investment and domestic industry development rather than relying solely on public expenditure. Minister Sadikin said developing local healthcare capabilities could increase the industry’s contribution to economic growth and job creation.
He also called for greater representation of Global South countries in international organisations. Although these nations accounted for more than 60% of the world’s population, he said their representation in global institutions remained limited. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Sadikin emphasised the importance of international cooperation in managing health emergencies, noting that countries could not address such crises independently.
Mr Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, also identified healthcare as a potential driver of national economic growth. “Health is a sector that we believe can help Indonesia increase its economic growth from 5% to 6%, 7%, and eventually 8%,” Mr Bakrie said.
Mr Bakrie called for closer engagement between government institutions, businesses and diplomatic representatives to advance investment opportunities, support domestic development and expand international trade partnerships.
Source: ANTARA News
