Understanding Women’s Role as a Driving Force in Indonesia’s Economy
BritCham’s Professional Women’s Hub (PWH) successfully hosted an insightful and empowering event, “Women, Wealth & Influence: Unleashing Women’s Economic Power” at the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Sentral Senayan. The event underscored the pivotal role of women in shaping Indonesia’s economy, highlighting how their professional decisions and financial choices influence industries, markets, and overall economic growth.
As women navigate economic shifts, rising inflation, and evolving consumer behaviours, the discussion becomes increasingly relevant in addressing the impact of these factors on their investment decisions and spending patterns. The event provided data-driven insights into the significant contributions of women to Indonesia’s economic landscape. Key discussions centred on pressing challenges such as financial literacy, access to funding, and business scalability, as well as actionable solutions to enhance women’s participation in the financial ecosystem. The event also served as a platform to support women entrepreneurs and investors while identifying strategic initiatives to expand economic opportunities for women.
The event had the privilege of hosting three distinguished panellists. Natascha Seume, Operations and Information Technology Director at PT Bank HSBC Indonesia, delved deeper into women’s wealth and investment strategies, emphasising that wealth is more than just money—it is about fulfillment, quality of life, and financial security. “As women become more financially versed, they take advantage of investment opportunities.” While financial wellness remains a challenge, especially for women and baby-boomers, increasing awareness of insurance, portfolio diversification, and legacy planning is shaping future financial stability. Vera Eve Lim, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA), provided valuable insights into the banking and financial sector, highlighting that women in Indonesia predominantly prioritise savings and secure investments. “Women’s spending has become increasingly rational,” she noted. Despite their significant contributions to MSMEs, women continue to demonstrate lower digital financial literacy, underscoring the need for not only access to financing but also sustainable financial growth. She also expressed confidence in Indonesia’s economic future, emphasising the banking sector’s optimism and endorsing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as a key area of opportunity for long-term investment and growth. Justin Joseph, Vice President of Customer and Digital at PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP), was also part of the panel.
This event was expertly navigated by Sony Jethani, Chief of BritCham’s Professional Women’s HUB and Marketing Director of PT Hansika Unggul Indah. Concluding the discussion, she underscored the power of self-investment and collective empowerment, stating, “Invest in yourself—women have given so much to the world.” She encouraged women to take the time to learn, embrace their self-worth, and invest in their communities and environment, where they can strengthen their networks and create a lasting impact.
BritCham Indonesia is recognised as the most active foreign chamber of commerce in Indonesia, organising over 60 events annually. BritCham operates six HUBS across various sectors. The Professional Women HUB helps women develop new business connections, learn new skills, and advance their careers while advocating for fairness and equality.
