Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s economy likely expanded at or above 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong domestic demand and accelerated fiscal spending, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said, signaling resilience despite global uncertainty.“While we are still awaiting official data from the BPS (Statistics Indonesia), our projections indicate first-quarter growth will be at least 5.5 percent,” Airlangga said on Thursday.He cited household consumption as a key driver, bolstered by the distribution of holiday allowances (THR), alongside faster government spending and stimulus measures totaling Rp809 trillion (US$46.79 billion).“It is important to maintain positive momentum as we move into the second quarter,” he added.Looking ahead, the government plans to sustain growth through additional fiscal support, including the disbursement of the 13th-month salary for civil servants in June and continued social assistance programs.Airlangga also pointed to investment as a critical engine of expansion this year, underscoring efforts to improve project execution and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.The government has mobilized the Task Force for the Acceleration of Government Programs, established under Presidential Decree No. 4/2026, to help ensure investments are implemented on schedule.“Debottlenecking remains a priority so that incoming investments can proceed as planned,” he said.Indonesia is targeting total investment realization of Rp2,041.3 trillion (US$118.03 billion) in 2026, a level the minister described as ambitious but achievable if the investment climate remains stable and supportive.Maintaining investor confidence is crucial, he said, as capital inflows continue to play a central role in driving economic activity and expanding productive capacity.“Achieving investment above Rp2,000 trillion is not a small task. This must be safeguarded collectively, as it serves as a key lever for economic growth,” Airlangga said.He reiterated the government’s broader goal of reaching at least 5.4 percent full-year growth, even as external risks—from geopolitical tensions to global market volatility—continue to weigh on emerging economies.