Arifin Panigoro was born in Bandung, 14 March 1945. Being the firstborn of eleven siblings, he often helped his father, Yusuf Panigoro, who used to have a store located in Braga Street, Bandung. From his father, Arifin learned many valuable lessons about business.

Arifin’s talent for trade was not only passed down from his parents but also from his grandfather. His great-grandfather had begun business by selling yellow rice (nasi kuning) in Pasar Baru market, Bandung. His grandfather used to work as a batik merchant. Hence, growing up in an entrepreneur family encouraged him to become one.

When he was in college, he persuaded his colleagues to start an electric fixtures business called CV. Corona Electric. After graduating from ITB majoring in Electrical Engineering, instead of being a corporate employee, he expanded his business by founding PT. Meta Epsi Engineering.

In 1980, Arifin took a giant leap by setting a company that focused on drilling services called PT Meta Epsi Pribumi Drilling Company. Later on, the word “pribumi” (native) was dropped in line with Medco’s expansion to go international. His decision was considered courageous because at that time the drilling services business was dominated by foreign companies. Arifin brought Medco as a trusted drilling services company. However, he did not want to stop there. He wanted to upgrade Medco from a drilling service into an exploration and production company in oil and gas.