MEKAR Earns Three International Recognitions for Advancing Sustainable Finance and Indonesia's Real Economy

HONG KONG, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), an Indonesian sustainable finance company, has earned three international recognitions at the FinanceAsia Awards 2026 and the WRISE Volare Awards 2026, reinforcing its position as one of Southeast Asia's emerging leaders in impact-driven finance and highlighting the growing international recognition of its integrated ecosystem model.

"These recognitions reflect MEKAR's commitment to redefining productive financing by creating tangible, real-world impact," said Pandu Aditya Kristy, Chief Executive Officer of PT Mekar Investama Teknologi.

At the FinanceAsia Awards 2026, MEKAR was named Winner - Best Strategic Initiative - Nonbank Financial Institutions (Indonesia) and received Highly Commended – Biggest Sustainable Impact - Nonbank Financial Institutions (Indonesia). On the same day, MEKAR was also honoured as Best Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Ecosystem Platform at the WRISE Volare Awards 2026, recognising its innovative ecosystem approach to sustainable finance.

The awards recognise MEKAR's evolution beyond conventional digital lending into an integrated ecosystem that connects financing with productive sectors, creating measurable economic, social, and environmental value.

Unlike traditional financing models, MEKAR has developed the MEKAR Ecosystem, bringing together interconnected business initiatives across financing, agriculture, renewable energy, and food sectors to support the long-term growth of Indonesia's real economy. Through this integrated approach, financing becomes more than access to capital; it becomes a catalyst for productivity, resilience, and sustainable development.

A cornerstone of this ecosystem is Multi Micro Agriculture Financing (MMAF), an integrated financing model that combines productive financing with agronomic assistance, satellite-based land monitoring, market access, and ecosystem partnerships. By connecting capital directly to agricultural production, MMAF improves financing quality while helping farmers increase productivity, restore underutilised land, and strengthen long-term income sustainability.

To date, MEKAR has disbursed more than IDR 2.4 trillion in productive financing while maintaining a 98% repayment rate. The company supports growth across productive sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, and waste-to-energy initiatives, while expanding access to inclusive finance. More than 80% of its borrowers are women-led MSMEs, underscoring MEKAR's commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Through its waste-to-energy initiatives, MEKAR also advances circular economy practices by converting agricultural and wood waste into value-added renewable energy.

As MEKAR continues to expand its ecosystem, the company is strengthening collaboration with regional investors, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders. These international recognitions reinforce MEKAR's growing role in advancing sustainable finance and open new opportunities for cross-border collaboration, particularly across Singapore and Greater China.

"We believe financial inclusion should go beyond providing access to capital—it should strengthen productive sectors, empower communities, and drive sustainable economic growth. Through the MEKAR Ecosystem, including sustainable agriculture and waste-to-energy initiatives, we are contributing to Indonesia's real economy while creating long-term value for society and the environment. These awards inspire us to continue expanding our ecosystem and strengthening collaborations with partners across Indonesia and the region. We also look forward to working with regional and international partners who share our vision of accelerating sustainable finance and creating lasting impact across Asia," Pandu Aditya Kristy added.

Looking ahead, MEKAR will continue to scale the Multi Micro Agriculture Financing (MMAF) model, strengthen strategic partnerships, and leverage technology to accelerate sustainable finance across Indonesia. Through its integrated ecosystem approach, MEKAR aims to expand regional collaboration while continuing to connect finance with the real economy and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future across Asia.

About PT Mekar Investama Teknologi

PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR) is an Indonesian financial technology company committed to advancing sustainable finance and financial inclusion through productive financing. Through the MEKAR Ecosystem, the company connects financing with agriculture, waste-to-energy, and food sectors to create measurable economic, social, and environmental impact while supporting the long-term growth of Indonesia's real economy.

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MEKAR Earns Three International Recognitions for Advancing Sustainable Finance and Indonesia's Real Economy

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- We pay heartfelt tribute to our founder, Les Mills Snr, who passed away peacefully today, aged 91.

A Kiwi icon, Les blazed a trail in sport, business, politics and life. Together with his wife Colleen, he created a fitness dynasty, first through the Les Mills New Zealand (LMNZ) chain of gyms and then Les Mills International, the group training powerhouse started by their son Phillip and his partner Jackie, now supported by their children Diana and Les Jnr.

Born in Auckland in 1934, Les had a tough start in life, losing his father at age 11, but he found solace in his passion for fitness and physical culture, inspired by the Charles Atlas strength training program. He grew into a fearsome athlete who represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games, competing in the discus and shot put. He won Commonwealth Games Gold, three Silver medals and one Bronze, later becoming an elite international coach and sports administrator.

Aged 19, Les married his wife Colleen – herself a world-class track and field athlete – and the pair embarked on several business ventures together before uniting their passion for sport and commerce to launch the first Les Mills gym in Auckland in 1968. After a few false starts, the gym business eventually took off and became the successful LMNZ chain of gyms that remain a cornerstone of Kiwi culture.

While Phillip, Jackie and Colleen were busy building Les Mills International and taking group workouts global with the explosion of BODYPUMP™, Les entered politics with characteristic determination to drive change for his constituents. He served three terms as Mayor of Auckland City in the 1990s, leading sweeping reforms to strengthen communities and improve infrastructure, as well as regenerating the heart of the city and its waterfront with bold development projects.

After leaving politics, Les continued to coach athletes, help grow the family businesses and support several charity initiatives. In 2002, he was recognized in the Queen's Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honors, being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government and sport. This complemented the earlier 1973 Queen's Birthday Honors appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to sport. In 2022, together with Phillip and Jackie Mills, he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

Phillip Mills, Managing Director of Les Mills International, said of his father: "He achieved a huge amount in his life. And the common thread throughout – whether in fitness, politics or family life – was that he always wanted to help others.

"Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged. He left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and his spirit lives on in gym workouts around the world, continuing to help people fall in love with fitness."

Having lost Colleen in 2005, Les is survived by his children Phillip and Donna, daughter-in-law Jackie, grandchildren Diana, Les Jr, Gabriel and Moana, plus many great-grandchildren.

Leslie Roy Mills MBE, CNZM 1 November 1934 – 29 June 2026

"The purpose of the gym is to help people fall in love with fitness." – Les Mills, 1968

View Les Mills tribute video

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A 'founding father of fitness' - Les Mills Snr 1934 - 2026