Rusmin Lawin, an influential global entrepreneur and real estate leader, holds a remarkable career in advancing the real estate and property tech industries across Asia and globally. His extensive experience includes being the Global Ambassador of Real Estate Indonesia, Global Advisor at Fundacion Metropoli Madrid and Expert Advisor at Nusantara National Capital Authority of Republic of Indonesia .Known for his pivotal roles in industry organizations, he is a prominent figure within FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, where he serves as President of the Asia Pacific region, FIABCI’s representative to the United Nations in Vienna and Geneva, and is involved in initiatives for sustainable urban development.
Rusmin’s contributions extend to founding the Indonesia Proptech Association, where he drives innovation in property technology, and as Vice President of the Real Estate Indonesia Developers Association (REI) overseeing foreign affairs. He is also active in numerous organizations, including the Indonesia-Hong Kong Business Association and FIABCI’s International Board of Directors.
In recent years, Rusmin has been instrumental in promoting Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, a $33 billion infrastructure project poised to become a significant ASEAN economic hub. His international outreach efforts during the pandemic covering 32 countries to attract investment for Nusantara earned him a place in the Indonesia World Records Museum.
His leadership emphasizes the importance of property ownership for economic mobility, particularly in developing countries, and the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in real estate. Under his stewardship, Indonesia’s property market is experiencing growth fuelled by extensive infrastructure development and a strategic approach to public-private partnerships that prioritize community benefit.
What was your journey like from an entry-level position to becoming the President of FIABCI’s Asia Pacific region?
My journey began when I joined FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, in 2005. FIABCI is a global organization representing a wide array of professions within the property sector, including brokers, developers, lawyers, bankers, engineers, and academics. The property sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, especially in Asia, as it encompasses 175 downstream industries, contributing significantly to job creation and industrial development.
I was mentored by the late Dr. Ciputra, a legendary figure in Indonesian and Asian real estate. He founded FIABCI Indonesia and introduced me to the international real estate community. Under his guidance, I became increasingly involved in global real estate matters and was elected to FIABCI’s Board in 2017. In 2022, I was honoured to be elected as President of FIABCI’s Asia-Pacific region for two consecutive terms, serving until 2026.
Then the legacy of late Dr Ciputra continued by Budiarsa Sastrawinata as the World President 2023-2024 , another great and visionary leader whom I work very closely and learned a lot from his talent wisdom and experiences as the mayor player in Asia real estate development.
Additionally, I have contributed to major projects such as Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, where I served as an expert advisor to the Ministry of National Development and Planning then continue to serve to thr Chairman of Nusantara National Capital Authority of Republic of Indonesia
My global network and experience have allowed me to connect international investors with strategic opportunities, fostering growth and development in the region.
How do you manage such a broad, international role? What strategies do you use to stay effective?
Managing an international role requires a clear focus on global collaboration and alignment with key objectives. FIABCI is an exclusive consultative group to the United Nations, particularly UN-Habitat and ECOSOC. Our efforts are closely tied to promoting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as a framework for guiding our organizational development and initiatives.
One of the key strategies I use to stay effective is leveraging the UN platform to socialize the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles among our members across 72 countries. This involves actively engaging our global network, particularly developers and contractors, in sustainable practices and green initiatives. By aligning FIABCI’s mission with the broader global goals of sustainability and responsible development, we ensure that our members are well-equipped to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Through constant communication and collaboration with international bodies, we maintain a consistent focus on delivering impactful results, all while fostering a culture of sustainability and growth within the property sector. This strategic alignment helps us remain relevant and effective on a global scale.
How do you balance short-term goals with long-term strategic planning in a global organization?
Balancing short-term and long-term goals is essential, and at FIABCI, we have a clear strategic roadmap that covers five, ten, and twenty-year development plans. This structured approach allows us to address immediate needs while staying focused on our long-term vision. Our planning is closely aligned with UN-Habitat, which provides a framework for sustainable and green development, particularly through the lens of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
ESG has become a critical focus globally, and FIABCI, with its wide international presence across regions like Africa, Australia, the Americas, Europe, and Asia, plays a key role in promoting these objectives. Our global scope enables us to drive sustainable growth while maintaining focus on both short- and long-term outcomes.
What strategies do you use to handle conflict or disagreement in a multicultural environment?
In a multicultural environment, we focus on fostering global networking, knowledge sharing, and promoting best practices among our members. Our role at FIABCI is to connect professionals from diverse backgrounds, offering them new experiences and insights that enrich their professional journeys.
When internal conflicts arise within local chapters, we step in to mediate and help resolve those issues. However, on the international level, we rarely encounter significant conflicts with other associations. Our emphasis on collaboration, mutual respect, and the exchange of global expertise ensures a harmonious environment. By prioritizing open communication and collective problem-solving, we maintain a cooperative and inclusive atmosphere across our multicultural, global network.
In global action,we must have our strategic hub, global cities as my global hub, such as in Asia Pacific, I choose Hong Kong as my global hub, then San Francisco and New york North America , Dubai for Middle East region and Kampala for Africa region, so we can work effectively by collaborating with our global partners in the region.
Currently Rusmin is also the Senior Advisor to ZICO Investment firm, the biggest consulting investment firm in ASEAN, and has their Representative offices in all ASEAN countries and London UK.
What personal qualities do you think have been key to your success?
The personal qualities that have been key to my success are commitment, focus, and consistency. First, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of your goals and a roadmap to achieve them. In my life, I have always had a short-term, mid-term, and long-term plan, ensuring that I know what I want to accomplish in each stage of my career. This clarity helps me stay on track and committed to my objectives.
Another essential quality is focusing on what you are passionate about and committing to it fully. You cannot keep changing your path—one day selling phones, the next selling insurance, and then shifting to event organizing. You must commit to a sector and focus your energy on mastering it. For me, that has been the property development sector since 1999. This dedication has built my reputation as a global property entrepreneur and allowed me to travel the world, promoting investment opportunities like Nusantara, even during the pandemic. Consistency over the past 20 years has been vital in building my global network and personal brand. People now recognize me for my work, and I have achieved this by staying committed to my goals and continuously working on what I am passionate about.
