The Transformation of Online Shopping, The Pace of Car Exports, The Success Stories of Young Entrepreneurs

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The following is important information related to the development of the business universe that needs attention today based on the curation of the SUAR Team.

In a report titled 2025 Global Insights: How Consumers and Marketers Use Walled Gardens by DoubleVerify, which conducted an in-depth survey of 22,000 consumers and 1,970 global marketers, including Indonesia, it was found that 52% of Indonesian consumers predominantly shop through social commerce.
Social commerce is an online buying and selling model that combines social media with e-commerce activities, allowing consumers to view products, interact with sellers, and ultimately make purchases. The consumer shopping experience becomes more personalized and integrated with interactive features such as posting, live streaming, and recommendations from friends or influencers. In Indonesia, social commerce is very popular. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) and even large brands can take advantage of the enormous opportunities offered by social commerce because the costs are lower, interaction with consumers is created, and products can be promoted more quickly through social media content.

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Amidst the Global Economic Slowdown, Car Exports Continue to Grow

Based on data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo), CBU exports in November 2025 were recorded at 46,920 units, up 3.4% compared to the previous month, which reached 45,379 units. Cumulatively from January to November 2025, CBU car exports were recorded at 473,971 units, an increase of 10.6% compared to the same period in 2024, which reached 428,613 units. The main factors driving CBU exports are stable global market demand and high market demand for ready-to-use units despite the global economic slowdown.

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Stories of Young Entrepreneurs Who Started from Scratch

Instead of simply waiting for job opportunities to open up, young people can turn side activities into promising sources of income in the future. The key is the ability to discover, understand, and transform passion into a driving force to get started and a source of motivation when things get tough. Two young entrepreneurs have successfully proven the power of passion for their businesses. The story of Melvin Hade founding Kayella Consumer Partners, a venture capital firm that injects capital into segmented retail businesses, such as beauty clinics, fitness centers, online grocery stores, stem cell clinics, and so on. Also, the story of the Founder of TEAMUP Circular Creative Business Ecosystem and CEO of M Bloc Space, Ahmad Romero Comacho.

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Seeking Solutions to the Problem of Used Clothing Imports and Saving the National Textile Industry

The government's desire to strictly close the door on imports of used clothing or balpres has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, this gives breathing space to the national textile industry, which has been overwhelmed by imports; on the other hand, there are thousands of small traders selling used clothing who are threatened with losing their livelihoods. There have been a number of proposals, such as legalizing imports of used clothing by imposing taxes and giving traders space to sell off their stock. At the same time, textile industry players are also struggling to sell their goods because the market is already saturated with imported goods. It takes simultaneous cooperation and joint discussions among all parties to resolve this issue.

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Momentum Towards Regional Fiscal Independence

Cities with consistent fiscal strength will become regional economic centers. Cities such as Surabaya and Bandung serve as the economic hubs of East Java and West Java, supported by key sectors ranging from manufacturing and trade to accommodation and food and beverage services. High local revenue capacity (PAD) reflects the high local economic potential and promising tax base in the region. The stability of PAD in these major cities is highly dependent on local taxes, which can contribute to more than 80% of total PAD.
Metropolitan cities such as Surabaya and Bandung are cities that are able to survive amid fiscal policy shocks. Based on PAD data, Surabaya and Bandung have consistently ranked second in terms of PAD for four years, from 2022 to 2025. The city of Surabaya, for example, has a regional tax of Rp 5.38 trillion out of a total PAD of Rp 6.5 trillion in 2025. Most of this tax revenue comes from PBB and BPHTB, each of which amounts to more than Rp 1 trillion.

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Intercensal Population Survey (SUPAS) Release. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) is scheduled to release Official Statistics on Monday, December 15, 2025, related to the Intercensal Population Survey (SUPAS). SUPAS aims to update population data and demographic indicators between two population censuses (every 10 years). The publication will present data on demographics such as births, deaths, and migration. The public can directly access the official BPS website.

Policy & Research Dialogue on Sustainable Growth in Indonesia. This important conference is organized in collaboration between the National Economic Council (DEN), the International Growth Centre (IGC–LSE), and LPEM UI. The event will be held online on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. WIB. The conference will focus on three key elements of sustainable growth, namely carbon pricing and international carbon markets, social protection digitalization, and industrial policies to increase productivity through innovation and R&D. The event will feature keynote speakers such as Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Jonathan Leape, and Chaikal Nuryakin, as well as expert panelists from relevant ministries (such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Social Affairs) and academics from leading institutions such as Stanford University and LSE. Information related to this event can be accessed directly through the Indonesian Economic Council's Instagram social media account.