By Marliana Tarigan )*
The establishment of Danantara Indonesia as a national Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) marks a strategic step by the government to strengthen the foundations of the national economy amid increasingly complex global dynamics. In an era of global economic uncertainty, the country cannot simply rely on conventional fiscal and monetary policies. A strong, professional, and long-term state investment instrument is needed to ensure the optimal management of national wealth. Danantara is the answer to this need and symbolizes a new transformation in the management of Indonesia’s strategic assets and investments.
Danantara Indonesia CEO Rosan Roeslani emphasized that Danantara was established by the government as a strategic investment arm of the country, with a broader role beyond simply managing funds. Danantara not only manages investment portfolios but also actively operates investments, both domestically and globally. This approach reflects a paradigm shift in state wealth management, from a previously passive approach to a more progressive approach with higher added value for the national economy.
Rosan further emphasized that Danantara was designed as an instrument for national economic transformation. Danantara’s primary mandate is to consolidate State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to create stronger synergies between state-owned business entities. Indonesia has over a thousand SOEs and their subsidiaries operating in various strategic sectors, from finance and energy to infrastructure and telecommunications. This vast scale represents extraordinary potential that has not been fully utilized due to management fragmentation and a lack of cross-sector coordination.
Through this consolidation, Danantara is expected to increase the value of state assets and ensure that every investment decision is executed in an integrated, professional, and long-term manner. With more centralized governance based on prudent principles, Danantara has the potential to become a key lever in increasing the competitiveness of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), both in domestic and global markets. This also strengthens the role of SOEs as agents of sustainable development.
One important aspect Rosan highlighted was the change in the SOE dividend management mechanism. Dividends, previously deposited directly with the Ministry of Finance, can now be managed more prudently by Danantara. These funds are then reinvested to maintain the sustainability of SOE performance while supporting the future of the national economy. This approach reflects the government’s long-term vision for managing state finances, where dividends are viewed not only as a source of fiscal revenue but also as strategic capital for creating sustainable economic growth.
Danantara’s role is increasingly crucial in driving investment contributions to national economic growth, which currently stands at around 28–29 percent. With more targeted and integrated investment management, Danantara is expected to increase the portion of quality investments that have a real impact on job creation, increased productivity, and structural transformation of the economy. The focus on strategic sectors, including clean and renewable energy, demonstrates that Danantara is not only pursuing economic growth but also aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable development and net-zero emissions targets.
From an analyst’s perspective, Danantara’s presence also holds strategic value in building global investor confidence. Dradjad Wibowo, a senior researcher at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), assessed that Danantara’s presence at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, is crucial for explaining Indonesia’s economic policy direction to the world. He believes Danantara’s ability to manage large-scale state capital is a key factor in building global investor confidence in Indonesia.
Dradjad views WEF 2026 as a strategic platform for Danantara to explain to world leaders and technology innovators the business climate Indonesia aims to build through this national SWF. Clarity of vision, transparency of governance, and consistency of policy will be key factors in attracting global investment. With precise and measured communication, Danantara has the potential to become an anchor of trust that strengthens positive perceptions of the Indonesian economy.
Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade for the 2011–2014 period, also expressed an optimistic view. He assessed that Danantara Indonesia’s presence in global forums such as the WEF has the potential to be a magnet for global economic and business actors. Danantara’s position as a state investment manager with a strategic mandate and large management scale makes it attractive to global investors seeking to understand Indonesia’s economic opportunities firsthand. According to Gita, this international forum can also be used as a space to build mutually beneficial global economic networks.
Danantara’s presence as a state capital allocator sends a strong signal that Indonesia is ready to collaborate on equal terms with various international institutions and economic actors. This will strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global value chain and foster the perception that Indonesia can be a long-term strategic partner. With strong policy support, professional leadership, and a clear long-term vision, Danantara has a significant opportunity to become a key pillar of Indonesia’s economic transformation and accelerate the realization of inclusive and sustainable national economic growth.
)* the author is an observer of economic policy
