Surabaya, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 – The annual East Java Economic Forum (EJAVEC) 2025 has reached its climax. In collaboration with Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesian Economists Association (ISEI), the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held a Conference & Winner Announcement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. With the theme “Increasing Productivity, Innovation, and Economic Capacity of East Java Amidst Various Global Challenges,” the event aims to formulate strategic policy input for the East Java economy.

The solemn event opened with remarks from the Dean of FEB UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Dian Agustia SE, M.Si., Ak., CMA, CA. She highlighted the urgency of this forum in responding to the challenging dynamics of the global economy.

"With the challenges emerging in the world such as economic instability and Donald Trump's tariff regulations that have an impact on Indonesia, constructive input is needed from both students and researchers who are expected to provide policy suggestions that have an impact on Indonesia," said the Dean of FEB UNAIR.

In line with this, M Noor Nugroho, Deputy Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for East Java Province, conveyed BI's commitment to maintaining regional stability. "The Bank Indonesia Representative Office for East Java Province is striving to formulate strategic policies to boost East Java's economic resilience by optimizing sectors in East Java for the resilience of all East Java residents," he explained.

The keynote speaker, Deputy Governor of East Java Province, Dr. H. Emil Elestianto Dardak, B.Bus., M.Sc., provided insights from the provincial government's perspective. He emphasized the dual disruptions that require adaptation, both in terms of domestic consumer behavior and global political dynamics.

"There's been a lot of disruption in East Java, one of which is the shift in young people's purchasing patterns, which are now shifting from offline to online. Globally, we're also facing challenges following the US presidential election," he explained.

The panel discussion at this conference also featured prominent economic thinkers. They were Professor of Universitas Airlangga Prof. Dr. Rudi Purwono SE, M.SE, Professor of the University of Indonesia Prof. Ari Kuncoro SE, MA, Ph.D, and Executive Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Yose Rizal Damuri SE, M.Ec. Dev, Ph.D. This discussion session, rich in ideas, was moderated directly by the Chair of the ISEI Surabaya Branch, East Java Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Drs. Soni Harsono, M.Si.

As the culmination of the event, EJAVEC 2025 announced the winners of the scientific paper competition, divided into two categories. This event provides a platform for researchers and students to contribute innovative ideas for the economy.

Here is the list of EJAVEC 2025 winners:

Student Category:

3rd Place: State Finance Polytechnic STAN (Title: Effectiveness of Local Currency Transaction Policy in Improving East Java Jewelry Export Performance)

2nd Place: University of Indonesia (Title: Sewing Sectoral Connectivity for East Java Tourism: Simulation of Economic Impact, Transportation, Akmamin)

1st Place: University of Indonesia (Title: Stretching the Road, Supporting Hope: Impact Analysis of the Trans Java Toll Road)

General Category:

1st Place: Central Statistics Agency (Title: Strengthening East Java Agro Downstreaming: Integration and Agro Industry in the Local Value Chain)

Second Place: Central Statistics Agency (Title: Analysis of the Quality Index of Pre-Elderly Workers and Its Impact on the East Java Economy)

3rd Place: PT Sagamartha Ultima Indonesia (Title: Digital Darwinism in the Tourism World: Who Adapts, Who Fall Behind?)

EJAVEC 2025 serves as a strategic platform to connect academics, researchers, businesspeople, and policymakers to discuss solutions to regional economic challenges amidst global pressures. Through discussions and research, this event is expected to strengthen East Java's role as a driving force for a competitive and sustainable national economy.

Author: Tommy Hani Tria Putra (FEB 2023)