By: Rahman Prawira)
Danantara’s flagship downstreaming program emerges as a strategic breakthrough in strengthening the foundation of an inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered national economic development. This program is not merely an economic policy focusing on added value of products, but also a symbol of strong commitment to liberate the nation from dependency on raw material exports. By driving structural transformation through industrialization and strengthening downstream sectors, Danantara places downstreaming at the heart of efforts to create more jobs, enhance competitiveness, and foster economic self-reliance.
President Prabowo Subianto stated that Danantara is not only focused on major cities but is also intended to bring tangible benefits to people in the regions. He explained that through this program, strategic investments are expected to reach underdeveloped areas, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. Furthermore, the President emphasized that Danantara aligns with the government’s vision of building Indonesia from the periphery, promoting equitable development and job opportunities across the country. He concluded that Danantara represents a concrete step toward realizing an inclusive and sustainable economy.
The government’s decisive action through Danantara has been welcomed by many. Anthony Leong, Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) for SOE, Danantara, and Regional-Owned Enterprise Synergy, said that Danantara plays a vital role in building a national entrepreneurship ecosystem that can create jobs more productively and structurally. According to him, Indonesia’s future economic growth cannot rely solely on the development of micro-enterprises and the informal sector; instead, it must focus on strengthening business scale and deeply increasing productivity.
The development of this downstreaming program is directly aligned with the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, which emphasizes not only the quantity of jobs but also their quality. Anthony stressed the importance of encouraging more people to work in the formal sector, particularly in companies with access to technology, capital, and broad markets. He believes that Danantara can be the driving engine toward this goal.
In addition, Danantara holds great potential as a platform for fostering entrepreneurship among Indonesia’s younger generation. This initiative will be strengthened further with supportive policies, strategic collaboration with SOEs and regional enterprises, and financing systems accessible to all levels of society. The program is not just an instrument to accelerate national economic growth but also a concrete step toward creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Under HIPMI’s leadership, Danantara is carried out with high commitment and structured policies, making it a potential catalyst for forming a strong new middle class in the country.
With its comprehensive approach, which not only emphasizes economic aspects but also considers social justice and equal opportunity, Danantara can become a model for inclusive economic development in the future. Anthony concluded his remarks with confidence that the success of this program depends heavily on the commitment of all stakeholders to work collaboratively and with a long-term vision.
Overall, Danantara is expected to become a crucial milestone in advancing Indonesia’s economic transformation through progressive, collaborative, and locally driven entrepreneurship. If consistently implemented, this initiative is believed to bring a significant impact on improving people’s quality of life and broadening economic participation, especially for groups previously excluded from the formal economy.
In addition to Anthony, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Chief Executive Officer of BPI Danantara, explained that downstreaming is not only focused on increasing the added value of natural resources but also has a major impact on creating quality jobs. He stated that from the total of 18 planned projects, it is estimated that more than 270,000 jobs will be created, as one of their main goals is to ensure that every investment generates decent employment opportunities. He detailed that the mining sector is expected to absorb 104,974 workers, agriculture 23,950 workers, maritime and fisheries 67,100 workers, energy transition 29,652 workers, and energy security 50,960 workers.
Meanwhile, Bahlil Lahadalia, Head of the Downstreaming Task Force who also serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, emphasized that this effort follows up on directives from President Prabowo Subianto in several limited meetings. He noted that although the studies conducted are still in the pre-feasibility stage, further refinements will be continued by Danantara, given that the institution has the resources needed to complete the assessment.
The government’s policy through Danantara represents a progressive and crucial step in supporting the downstreaming program. This positive effort not only adds value to natural resources but also opens up quality job opportunities for many. This initiative is a vital step in strengthening the national economy while realizing a more inclusive and prosperous future for all segments of Indonesian society.
*) The author is a Public Policy Analyst
