President Prabowo’s Visit to China and the US, Encourages National Economic Growth and Equality
By: Kelvin Arfiando )*
President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to China and the United States brought a breath of fresh air to the Indonesian economy. With a busy agenda, President Prabowo succeeded in establishing strategic cooperation with various countries. This visit is an important moment in strengthening international relations while opening up new investment opportunities in various sectors.
In China, President Prabowo met with local business and government leaders. Discussions focused on renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital technology. The agreements reached included direct investment from Chinese companies in the construction of electric battery factories and solar energy.
This is in line with the government’s vision to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while encouraging the development of an electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia. In addition, China is also committed to helping build transportation infrastructure in several strategic areas of Indonesia, which will improve connectivity and competitiveness.
The visit to the United States was no less significant. President Prabowo met with a number of CEOs of giant technology companies and major investors. In the meeting, the potential for cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalization of education, and development of the startup ecosystem was discussed. One concrete result of this visit was a cooperation agreement between Indonesia and a US technology company to build a digital innovation center in Jakarta. This center is expected to be able to produce new technology talents who will support Indonesia’s digital transformation.
In addition to the technology sector, the United States has also shown great interest in Indonesia’s agribusiness and fisheries sectors. The US government has agreed to increase imports of agricultural and fisheries products from Indonesia, such as coffee, spices, and sea fish, through more flexible trade partnerships. This not only provides added value to local products, but also encourages economic growth in the regions producing these products. President Prabowo said that this cooperation is part of the government’s efforts to develop the economic potential of villages and reduce inequality.
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Gerindra Faction, Rahayu Saraswati, said that Indonesia needs massive investment. Prabowo’s visit to several countries, one of the goals is to attract investors to invest in Indonesia. With many investors coming to Indonesia, it can certainly boost employment. The presence of investors does not eliminate employment, but instead brings employment to Indonesian citizens.
Another encouraging outcome of the visit was the increased commitment of both countries to support economic and political stability in the Southeast Asian region. In meetings with the leaders of the US and China, President Prabowo emphasized Indonesia’s strategic position as an anchor of regional stability. This support is believed to strengthen Indonesia’s position in facing global challenges while attracting more long-term investment from both countries.
Professor of International Relations of the University of Indonesia (UI), Fredy Buhama Lumban Tobing said that President Prabowo’s move was a smart economic diplomacy strategy. The cooperation that was established not only had a direct impact in the form of investment, but also created new job opportunities for the Indonesian people. On the other hand, the cooperation that was established showed the international world’s trust in Indonesia’s economic stability under President Prabowo’s leadership.
China as the first country visited by Prabowo after being inaugurated as President signifies the importance of the country for Indonesia. This step reflects the recognition of China’s position as Indonesia’s largest trading partner as well as a country with significant investments in various sectors, including infrastructure and technology. It also shows the government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in supporting national economic growth and utilizing opportunities in the renewable energy, manufacturing, and digital technology sectors. This visit not only strengthens diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also serves as a strong signal to the international community that Indonesia is ready to establish a global partnership to advance the economy and people’s welfare.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo’s visit to the US also signifies that the country has an important position for Indonesia. As one of the main trading partners and a country with great influence in various international forums, the United States is key to strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and defense. This visit also reflects President Prabowo’s balanced approach in establishing relations with global powers to secure Indonesia’s national interests. The main focus of this visit is to explore opportunities for cooperation in the high-tech, green energy, and education sectors, which are expected to support sustainable economic growth in Indonesia.
President Prabowo’s visit to China and the US is clear evidence that economic diplomacy is one of the main keys to driving national growth. With various opportunities open, the hope of seeing Indonesia become a more advanced and prosperous country is getting closer to reality. The government, business actors, and society are expected to unite in utilizing this momentum to bring Indonesia to a higher level on the global stage.
)* Observer of Social and Community Issues
