Nikkei Asia

**Indonesia's Stock Market: A $1 Trillion Promise Meets Reality**

stock_market economy countries
Indonesia's stock market is under scrutiny. President Joko Widodo has set a bold goal: grow the market's value to $1 trillion by 2025. But current performance is lagging far behind. The main index has fallen over 4% this year. This makes it one of the worst performers in Asia. In contrast, regional peers like India and Japan have seen major gains. Analysts point to a key problem: political uncertainty. Indonesia recently elected a new president and vice president. The new leaders, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, will take office in October. Investors are now waiting to see their specific economic policies. This "wait-and-see" attitude has stalled market activity. Foreign investors are pulling money out. Domestic companies are delaying plans to sell shares to the public, known as initial public offerings (IPOs). The $1 trillion target now looks difficult. The market's total value currently sits near $700 billion. To reach the goal, it must add roughly $300 billion in less than two years. The coming months are a critical test. The market must prove it can attract steady investment. Clear policy signals from the incoming government are seen as the first necessary step. Without them, Indonesia's ambitious financial dream may stall.