Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, October 9, 2026 at 04:12 PM UTC

Indonesia seeks health investment to support 8 percent growth target

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Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Indonesia needs to explore investment opportunities and international partnerships in the health sector to support Indonesia’s eight percent economic growth target and expand employment opportunities nationwide.

With health expenditure reaching around US$40 billion per year, Sadikin said this sector offers significant potential for development through investment and international cooperation.

"The opportunity in the health sector is enormous. With growth and employment potential exceeding eight percent. Therefore, we are discussing investment opportunities and cooperation with other countries," he said on Friday.

According to Sadikin, raising health expenditure to levels comparable with those of other countries could unlock substantial economic opportunities.

If Indonesia's health spending reached Malaysia's level, additional expenditure could reach approximately US$84 billion. Meanwhile, matching Singapore's level could generate potential annual spending of around US$840 billion, the minister said.

"This is an opportunity. The health sector should therefore be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment," he pointed out.

The government is encouraging investment and the development of the domestic healthcare industry, rather than relying solely on public spending.

Sadikin noted that strengthening the healthcare industry is essential to maximizing its contribution to economic growth and expanding employment opportunities across Indonesia.

He also drew attention to the importance of strengthening the representation of Global South countries in international organizations.

He noted that Global South countries comprise more than 60 percent of the world's population, but still lacking significant representation in various international organizations.

"The President asked me to represent Global South countries. Although they account for more than 60 percent of the world's population, their representation in international organizations remains limited. I am running to bring their voices to the international level," Sadikin said.

He added the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic showcases the importance of cooperation between countries in dealing with health crises.

"Our experience during the pandemic showed that no single country can survive alone. Globally, eight billion people are interconnected. That is why we must embrace everyone as one," he said.

Additionally, Anindya Bakrie, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), acknowledged the health sector as strategic sector in supporting Indonesia's economic growth.

He expressed confidence that the health sector could serve as a driver of economic growth, helping Indonesia reach eight percent growth.

"Health is a sector that we believe can help Indonesia increase its economic growth from five percent to six percent, seven percent, and eventually eight percent," Anindya said.

He also called for closer cooperation among the government, businesses, and diplomatic representatives to bolster Indonesia’s economic potential. Such collaboration is essential to aligning national development priorities with international trade and investment partnerships.

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