The 16th annual Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) conference on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, was organized by the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Tax Accountants (MATA) and supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.
The event was opened by remarks from the Founder and Senior Economist of INDEF, Prof. Didik J Rachbini. In his opening speech, Prof. Didik J Rachbini conveyed that in 2025, the ASEAN region faces ongoing challenges stemming from political and economic uncertainties that arise almost daily.
According to him, this raises concerns among experts that it will lead to a radical transformation of the political economy, particularly regarding currency stability and its direct relationship with taxation policies as a strategic tool.
Furthermore, Prof. Didik J Rachbini introduced the Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) as an annual platform that brings together stakeholders from various sectors, including policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, and regional think tanks to discuss in-depth issues related to taxation. 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 highlights key topics such as tax policy innovation in various sectors, cross-border cooperation, and fiscal strategies in response to increasing geopolitical tensions and economic nationalism.
The urgency to address international taxation challenges
The event then continued with an opening speech from the President of the Malaysian Association of Tax Accountants (MATA), Dato’ Hj. Abd Aziz Bin Abu Bakar. He mentioned that MATA has been an active partner in organizing APTF since 2020, contributing expertise in analyzing the impact of taxes and regional policy trends.
According to him, the main topic of concern at the 16th APTF was the increasing pressure from global trade measures, especially US import tariffs, which have exacerbated fiscal pressures among ASEAN countries.
Dato’ Hj. Abd Aziz Bin Abu Bakar also said that the forum emphasized the urgency of addressing international taxation challenges, including tax base erosion, profit shifting, and taxation of digital transactions. According to him, there was a joint call for stronger collaboration among ASEAN member countries, especially among technical experts and policymakers, to develop an efficient, transparent, and fair taxation system.
The forum aims to strengthen regional capacity in responding to global disruptions while ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic development through good tax governance.
Vice Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Anggito Abimanyu was a keynote speaker at the opening of the 16th APTF. Opening his speech, he quoted the great economist Joseph Stiglitz that ‘Taxes are an obligation.’ He then conveyed that taxes are an integral part of public policy. Taxes are a tool for distributing income and welfare.
Opening his speech, Prof. Anggito Abimanyu quoted the great economist Joseph Stiglitz that ‘Taxes are an obligation.’
On this occasion, the Vice Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Anggito Abimanyu, also conveyed several things that Indonesia will do in the future to strengthen the national taxation system in facing current global dynamics, including:
- Conducting a joint program for cross-institutional data exchange, both within the Ministry of Finance between the Directorate General of Taxes, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Directorate General of Budget, and with other Ministries related to economics and investment;
- Strengthening the supervision of digital transactions, both domestic and foreign;
- Implementing adjustments to import duty rates and expanding excise to support industrial downstreaming as well as health and environmental goals;
4. Optimizing revenue from natural resources; and
- Developing an integrated core system, namely Coretax, CEISA, and SIMBARA, to increase transparency, compliance, data integration, and strengthen tax and customs administration.
Sharing information on taxation practices in general, especially in the Asia Pacific Region
After delivering his speech, the Vice Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Anggito Abimanyu, then officially opened the 16th Asia Pacific Tax Forum (APTF) annual conference by striking a gong as a symbol.
The panel discussion on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, presented speakers from various countries and institutions, with the 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 information on taxation practices in general, especially in the Asia Pacific Region, and specifically in countries in the Asia Pacific Region. The panelists discussed the importance of cooperation between countries in taxation, which was emphasized to reduce tax avoidance so that state tax revenues could increase amidst the fiscal challenges experienced by countries.
Source: Indef Press Release
