Business Activity Performance in Q1-2026 Remains Stable: BI

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI) reported that business activity remained stable in the first quarter of 2026, with a Weighted Net Balance (WNB) of 10.11 percent. The figure was slightly lower than the 10.61 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

BI Communication Department Director Anton Pitono said most economic sectors posted positive performance. “This positive performance was supported by key sectors, namely financial services; agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; manufacturing; and wholesale and retail trade, as well as repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,” Anton stated on Friday, April 17, citing BI’s official website.

The financial services sector recorded the highest WNB at 1.94 percent, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (1.54 percent), manufacturing (1.46 percent), and wholesale and retail trade, including vehicle repair (1.24 percent).

Anton explained that the growth was driven by increased public demand during National Religious Holidays in Q1, including Chinese New Year, Nyepi, Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr, as well as the start of the harvest season for agricultural commodities.

Capacity utilization in Q1 stood at 73.33 percent, up from 73.15 percent in Q4. The increase was supported by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (72.53 percent) and manufacturing (70.31 percent).

Meanwhile, electricity supply (80.49 percent), mining and quarrying (68.55 percent), and water supply, waste management, and recycling (74.74 percent) showed signs of slowing.

Business finance conditions were favorable, with liquidity and profitability improving due to easier access to credit. The Net Liquidity Balance (NLB) reached 17.05 percent, while the Net Profitability Balance (NPB) stood at 14.87 percent. The Credit Access Balance (CAB) was recorded at 4.84 percent.

Looking ahead, respondents forecast stronger business activity in Q2, with the Business Activity Balance (BAB) projected at 14.80 percent. Growth is expected to come from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, supported by the ongoing harvest season; mining and quarrying, aided by reduced rainfall; and construction, driven by the start of new projects. ***