Jakarta, Indonesia (February 10, 2026) — In the midst of a regional economic integration agenda that increasingly demands policy certainty and cross-country coordination, research-based collaboration is becoming essential. real. In an effort to strengthen Indonesia's position within the Southeast Asian economic integration agenda, the Indonesian Business Council (IBC) and the Southeast Asia Futures Initiative Centre (SEAFIC) signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen research collaboration and policy dialogue, thereby supporting Indonesia's competitiveness and advancing Southeast Asian economic integration. This collaboration aims to strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness, deepen regional integration, and align business needs with more measurable, implementable policy directions.
Through this partnership, IBC and SEAFIC will conduct regular consultations, develop joint research, and develop policy recommendations on mutually agreed-upon strategic issues. The focus will include regional economic resilience, cross-border connectivity, and cross-border issues that directly impact trade flows and investment decisions.
Chairman of the IBC Supervisory Board Arsjad Rasjid, emphasized that Southeast Asia is entering a phase that continues to be determined by geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics, so economic integration can no longer be treated as a purely technical agenda. "In a situation where trade tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and global uncertainty increasingly influence economic decisions, ASEAN needs to move in a more coordinated and practical manner. This collaboration is one way to strengthen policy conversations that are evidence-based and relevant to business actors," he said.
IBC CEO Sofyan Djalil, emphasized that this collaboration aims to strengthen competitiveness through quality decisions and clear direction. "Competitiveness is not a slogan. It is born from clear, consistent policies that can be translated into concrete projects. With SEAFIC, IBC aims to expand its knowledge base and regional network to further strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness agenda," he continued.
SEAFIC Chief Tengku Zafrul Aziz, emphasized the importance of cooperation that goes beyond mere discourse. "Our region needs more focused and evidence-based collaboration. With the IBC, we want to strengthen the bridge between analysis, business needs, and realistic steps to strengthen integration and economic resilience in Southeast Asia," he said.
Going forward, this collaboration will also create opportunities for joint forums and research to enrich policy discussions in the region. IBC and SEAFIC will utilize strategic forums, including the Indonesia Economic Summit, to bring together decision-makers and business actors to foster more concrete collaboration.
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About the Indonesian Business Council (IBC)
The Indonesian Business Council (IBC) is an association of CEOs and business leaders from leading companies in Indonesia, established in February 2023. IBC is committed to promoting and strengthening Indonesia's competitiveness, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, and enhancing the private sector's contribution to economic growth and prosperity through advocacy and the development of quality public policies. For more information, please visit https://business-council.id/pr@scmp.com
