The 12th Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) officially opened in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/10), with a spirit of national collaboration to strengthen the sharia economy and finance. This annual event, initiated by Bank Indonesia, is a strategic platform to promote Indonesia as a global center for sharia economics, in line with the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision.
In his speech at the opening of the 12th ISEF, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo emphasized the importance of making sharia economics and finance a path to independence and inclusive growth that brings blessings to all people. He said that ISEF is not just an economic event, but a spiritual and collaborative reflection of the spirit of togetherness in building civilization. Through the theme “Synergy of Islamic Economics and Finance Strengthens Economic Independence and Inclusive Economic Growth,” he emphasized that the synergy of Islamic economics and finance is a tangible manifestation of cross-sector collaboration.
“That is the theme we have chosen as a reflection of our congregation, our collaboration as a community continues to push Indonesia as the center of the global Islamic economy and finance. The Islamic financial economy makes rahmatan lil alamin become economic independence and inclusive economic growth that is rahmatan lil alamin for all people,” said the Governor.
Perry Warjiyo also expressed his gratitude for Indonesia's achievement of now ranking third in the world's largest Islamic economies, based on the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024–2025. Indonesia is now alongside Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as the three major countries in the global Islamic economy.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto also gave his full support to strengthening the national Islamic economic ecosystem. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of cross-sector synergy to make the Islamic economy a driver of inclusive growth.
“ISEF is not just a festival, but a strategic platform for building an inclusive and competitive Islamic economy. The government fully supports the strengthening of the halal industry, Islamic MSMEs, and financial literacy based on Islamic values,” said Airlangga Hartarto.
ISEF 2025 will take place on October 8-12, 2025, featuring more than 90 series of activities from over 100 stakeholders and the participation of 1,000 halal industry players. The series of activities range from international forums, halal product exhibitions, sharia innovation competitions, to the launch of strategic programs across ministries and institutions.
