IAEI Encourages Diaspora to Become Global Investment Connector to Strengthen Indonesia's Sharia Economy

In an effort to promote national sharia economic transformation through the strategic role of the global community, the Indonesian Islamic Economists Association (IAEI), in collaboration with the Directorate of Sharia Financing of the Ministry of Finance and the Indonesian Student Association (PPI), held the EKSYAR Diaspora-PPI Webinar entitled "The Strategic Role of the Diaspora in Encouraging Sharia Economic Transformation through Optimizing ST016 Investments at the Global and National Levels," on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the DJPPR Auditorium of the Ministry of Finance. Stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the global community agreed that Indonesia needs to "play bigger" globally, considering that its third-place position in the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report does not reflect the country's true strength.

Highlighting this urgency, Murniati Mukhlisin, Head of Strategic Communication and International Cooperation at IAEI, emphasized that sukuk are an inclusive instrument accessible to various investor profiles. "Innovations such as green sukuk and Cash Waqf Linked Sukuk (CWLS) provide investment alternatives that are not only financially profitable but also socially impactful," Murniati emphasized.

Similarly, Sutan Emir Hidayat, Secretary General of the Indonesian Islamic Association (IAEI), encouraged the diaspora to utilize easy digital access to invest consistently. "We encourage synergy between the government, industry, and the global community so that Indonesia's sharia economy can emerge as a more competitive force on the global stage," said Sutan Emir.

From a policy perspective, Deni Ridwan, Director of Sharia Financing at the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the challenge of Indonesia's higher financial inclusion than its literacy. He emphasized that ST016 presents a safe, competitive instrument, and is now accessible starting from IDR 1 million through personal devices. "We invite the diaspora to start investing gradually as a real contribution to national development," said Deni Ridwan.

Strengthening the global perspective, Wempi Saputra, Executive Director of the World Bank Group and Chair of the International Cooperation Committee of the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economics (IAEI), emphasized that the diaspora's strategic role rests on three main aspects: knowledge, networking, and capital. "These three aspects need to be supported by trust and accountability mechanisms, including through an ESG approach," Wempi Saputra emphasized.

Responding to the competitiveness challenge, Muhammad Iman Sastra, CEO of Bank Syariah Matahari, assessed that Indonesia's visibility in the global Islamic finance arena is still suboptimal due to the absence of a dominant large player. "Sukuk is the most potential instrument for development financing, and capital strengthening is key to continuing innovation," Iman Sastra asserted.

Harri Gemilang, Head of Financial Controlling at Airbus Helicopters Arabia, also shared the perspective of global investors, emphasizing that trust is a key determinant of investment decisions. "ST016 has good positioning, but the information delivery needs to be more concise, modern, and supported by a clear digital process," Harri said, while introducing Saudi Arabia's Sah Savings Product as a similar instrument.

Speaking from the perspective of the global student community, Andika Ibrahim Nasution, Coordinator of PPI Dunia, stated that the diaspora needs to transform from mere audiences into active advocates. "The Islamic economy must be positioned as a global opportunity, not just a domestic product," Andika concluded. PPI Dunia is also ready to promote Indonesian Islamic investment in international forums in Asia, Europe, and the Americas throughout this year.

This forum produced strategic recommendations in the form of strengthening diaspora community-based campaigns, increasing Indonesia's presence in global investment forums, and strengthening governance and transparency. Through increasingly solid cross-sector collaboration, Indonesia is expected to accelerate its path to becoming an inclusive and highly competitive global Islamic economic hub.