The 16th annual Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) conference on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, was organized by the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) in collaboration with the Malaysian Associaton of Tax Accountants (MATA) and supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.
The event was opened by a speech from the Founder and Senior Economist of INDEF, Prof. Didik J Rachbini. Starting his speech, Prof. Didik J Rachbini said that in 2025 the ASEAN region faces ongoing challenges stemming from political and economic uncertainties that arise almost daily.
This, according to experts, will lead to a radical transformation of the political economy, especially regarding currency stability and its direct relationship with tax policy as a strategic tool.
Furthermore, Prof. Didik J Rachbini introduced the Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) which exists as an annual platform that brings together stakeholders from various sectors, including policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, and regional think tanks to discuss tax-related issues in depth. Indonesia's active role in APTF activities reflects the country's active role in shaping regional fiscal discourse.
Prof. Didik J Rachbini revealed that this year's 16th APTF forum highlighted key topics such as tax policy innovation in various sectors, cross-border cooperation, and fiscal strategies in response to rising geopolitical tensions and economic nationalism.
Urgency to address international taxation challenges
The event was followed by an opening speech from Malaysian Association of Tax Accountants (MATA) President Dato' Hj Abd Aziz Bin Abu Bakar. He mentioned that MATA has been an active partner in organizing APTF since 2020, contributing expertise in tax impact analysis and regional policy trends.
According to him, the main topic of concern at the 16th APTF was the increasing pressure from global trade measures, particularly US import tariffs, which has exacerbated fiscal pressures among ASEAN countries.
Dato' Hj Abd Aziz Bin Abu Bakar also said that the forum emphasized the urgency to address international taxation challenges, including tax base erosion, profit shifting, and taxation of digital transactions. According to him, there was a common call for stronger collaboration among ASEAN member states, especially among technical experts and policymakers, to develop an efficient, transparent, and fair tax system.
The forum aims to strengthen regional capacity in responding to global disruption while ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic development through good tax governance.
Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Anggito Abimanyu was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 16th APTF. Opening his speech, he quoted the great economist Joseph Stiglitz that 'Tax is an obligation'. He went on to say that tax is an integral part of public policy. Tax is a tool to distribute income and welfare.
Opening his speech, Prof. Anggito Abimanyu quoted the great economist Joseph Stiglitz that 'Tax is an obligation'.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Anggito Abimanyu conveyed several things that Indonesia will do in the future in strengthening the national tax system to face the current global dynamics, including:
- Conduct joint data exchange programs across institutions, both within the Ministry of Finance between the Directorate General (DG) of Taxes, DG of Customs and Excise, DG of Budget, as well as with other Ministries related to the economy and investment;
- Strengthen supervision of digital transactions, both domestic and overseas;
- Implement import duty rate adjustments and excise duty expansion to support downstream industries as well as health and environmental objectives;
4. Optimizing revenue from natural resources; and 4.
- Developed integrated core systems, namely Coretax, CEISA, and SIMBARA, to improve transparency, compliance, data integration, and strengthen tax and customs administration.
Sharing on taxation practices in general, especially in the Asia Pacific Region
After delivering his speech, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Anggito Abimanyu then officially opened the 16th Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) annual conference by hitting the gong as a symbolic gesture.
The panel discussion on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 featured speakers from various countries and institutions, with discussion topics:
1. Global Economic Challenges and Tax Policy Responses From The Asia-Pacific Region;
2. Tax Policy Development and Regional Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region;
3. Indirect Tax Policy and Administration;
4. The Role of Customs Policies and Their Impact on the Global Economy;
5. Update on The Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism;
6. The Future of Tax Incentives Under Pillar Two-Balancing Compliance and Competiveness;
7. Harmonizing Taxation and Islamic Philanthropy for Inclusive Economic Growth.
During the discussion, the panelists shared about taxation practices in general, especially in the Asia Pacific Region and specifically in the countries in the Asia Pacific Region. Panelists discussed the importance of inter-country cooperation in taxation is emphasized to reduce tax evasion so that state tax revenues can increase amid the fiscal challenges experienced by countries.
Source: Indef Press Release
