Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) students, led by Alvin Yusuf Akbar, Chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) FEB, attended the First Congress of the Indonesian Economic Students Forum (FMEI) at Universitas Gajah Mada (UGM) Yogyakarta in mid-May 2023.

The Chairman of BEM FEB, Alvin, said that FMEI is a student forum initiated by six Faculty of Economics BEMs in Indonesia, namely UGM, UNS, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad), IPB University (IPB), and Universitas Brawijaya (UB).

“FMEI is divided into 3 forums, Chairman’s Forum, Strategic Review, and External Forum. The Chairman’s Forum discussed FMEI activities’ strategic design for a year, the Strategic Review discussed a recent study that will be used as a recommendation point, while the External Forum discussed branding and expansion,” he said.

Furthermore, he states that the event was attended by 108 students from 16 universities. Also attending the event was Abdurohman, PhD., the Head of the Center for Macroeconomic Policy, Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI).

Students came forward with their respective studies during the forum. The discussion follows a grand theme entitled “Testing Indonesia’s Fiscal System and Policy against Global Economic Uncertainty.’ Each study discussed in the forum will contribute to suggesting recommendation points to be reported to the relevant stakeholders.

There are 4 (four) recommendations submitted by students at FMEI approved by the Head of the Center for Macroeconomic Policy, Fiscal Policy Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance.

First, they recommend accelerating Law no. 7/2021 (article 13) implementation and realization, related to the carbon tax by establishing and ratifying supporting implementing regulations. Second, the establishment of a tax treaty related to online transaction taxes across countries. Third, evaluation of the tax evasion regulations in Indonesia. Lastly, recommending a decrease in the minimum investment limit for tax holiday filings particularly for environmentally friendly companies.

In addition to the congress, the FMEI 2023 also includes a field trip to a bamboo craft center foster village in Jetis, Sleman Municipality.

Hopefully, the visit of FMEI participants to the village can increase tourism activity and support the local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) business in the area.