Jakarta (ANTARA) – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa expressed optimism, Wednesday, that Indonesia's economic growth could reach nearly 6 percent in the second half of 2026, following a strong 5.29 percent expansion in the second quarter.Official data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed the economy grew 5.29 percent year-on-year in the April–June period (Q2), outperforming the 5.12 percent recorded in Q2 2025, though easing slightly from 5.61 percent in the first quarter.”If we look at it, we can grow 5.29 percent, which is quite good in the current situation,” Sadewa told a media briefing in Jakarta, noting that the growth reflects strong resilience despite global headwinds and rising crude oil prices that weighed on exports.On a quarter-on-quarter basis, gross domestic product (GDP) rebounded by 3.73 percent, bringing cumulative growth for the first half of 2026 to 5.45 percent.To hit the nearly 6 percent target in the second half, Sadewa said the government plans to optimize domestic growth engines by boosting liquidity and lowering interest rates across financial institutions.”This includes lowering interest rates requested by Special Mission Vehicles under the Finance Ministry so banks can offer loans at lower rates,” he explained.Addressing concerns over the manufacturing sector—which grew 4.52 percent in Q2 2026 compared to 5.68 percent a year earlier—Sadewa insisted the slowdown does not signal a weakening industrial base, adding that policy tools will be leveraged to capitalize on an expected rebound in global demand.According to BPS data, Q2 growth was led by the electricity and gas supply sector at 10.81 percent, and accommodation and food services at 10.60 percent. Conversely, mining and quarrying contracted by 1.64 percent.Regionally, Bali and Nusa Tenggara led economic expansion at 6.10 percent, followed by Java at 5.65 percent, Sulawesi at 5.53 percent, Sumatra at 5.06 percent, and Kalimantan at 4.10 percent. Maluku and Papua recorded the slowest growth at 1.36 percent.Acknowledging that growth engines in Eastern Indonesia remain underutilized, Sadewa confirmed the Finance Ministry will partner with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) to draft dedicated regional strategies for Maluku and Papua in the second half of the year.