President Prabowo’s Foreign Visits Successfully Attract Investors to Accelerate Economic Equality
By: Nasrun Muktim )*
President Prabowo Subianto’s working visits to China and the United States have not only strengthened diplomatic relations between the three countries but also succeeded in attracting significant investment interest to accelerate economic equality in Indonesia. Amid increasingly complex global competition, the government’s efforts to attract foreign investors from major countries are a strategic step that not only promises economic improvement but also opens up opportunities for cooperation that can benefit both countries. These visits also reflect pragmatic economic diplomacy while remaining grounded in Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy principles.
In the Indonesia-China business forum, President Prabowo emphasized that cooperation between Indonesia and China would not change Indonesia’s foreign policy stance. President Prabowo stated that Indonesia is committed to remaining non-aligned and will continue to collaborate with all powers in the world. Through this affirmation, President Prabowo showed that Indonesia continues to uphold the independence of its foreign policy, despite increasing the intensity of economic cooperation with major countries.
President Prabowo also highlighted that China and the US are not just major countries in the global economy, but also great civilizations with values that can enrich international relations. In his view, collaboration between Indonesia, China, and the US is not merely transactional cooperation, but a synergy that unites various sectors, from education and business to industry. President Prabowo is very optimistic about this prospect and believes that collaboration among these countries will be an important factor in stabilizing and improving the atmosphere of cooperation in the region.
President Prabowo added that this productive economic cooperation could serve as an example to the world that collaboration is key to global peace. Given that international conflicts and tensions tend to increase, this collaborative approach becomes relevant and worthy of emulation.
President Prabowo’s visit to China has yielded various investment agreements of strategic value for Indonesia. The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the meeting resulted in seven bilateral agreements with a business investment value reaching 10.07 billion US dollars. This large figure reflects China’s commitment to supporting development in Indonesia, especially in sectors that have the potential to increase economic equality.
One agreement point that received special attention is funding support from the Chinese government for the “Food Supplementation and School Feeding Programme in Indonesia.” This program is aimed at supporting nutrition and health of children in Indonesia through the provision of free nutritious food in schools. This initiative, besides showing the Chinese government’s attention to the welfare of Indonesian people, is also in line with the Indonesian government’s vision to create a healthy, intelligent young generation ready to compete in the future. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was witnessed directly by President Prabowo and Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the seriousness of both countries in building more inclusive cooperation that benefits the wider community.
International Political Observer from Paramadina University, Pipip A. Rifai Hasan, revealed that President Prabowo’s visits to China and the United States as two world trade giants send a strong message about Indonesia’s economic orientation. President Prabowo wants to attract investments that not only benefit the national economy but also have an equalizing impact on communities in various regions of Indonesia.
Pipip emphasized the importance of cooperation with China based on the principle of equality so that incoming investments can provide balanced benefits for both countries. So far, Indonesia has often been considered to give too much advantage to China, so the balance in this relationship needs to be addressed and clarified in mutually beneficial cooperation.
By strengthening this productive economic cooperation, Indonesia can utilize investments from China to drive strategic sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology. These investments will provide new job opportunities, improve workforce competence, and encourage better economic equality in Indonesia. This cooperation with China becomes an important momentum for the government in achieving its vision of sustainable development and creating more equitable economic opportunities throughout Indonesia.
President Prabowo’s steps in establishing cooperation with major countries show the direction of Indonesia’s economic policy that focuses on inclusive growth. Besides China, Prabowo’s visit to the United States also reflects a dynamic and open economic diplomacy approach, where Indonesia continues to build relations with various world economic powers without losing the principles of political independence. This approach becomes relevant amid Indonesia’s need to achieve national development targets, especially in accelerating economic equality and increasing national competitiveness.
The economic diplomacy carried out by Prabowo is based on the principle of “collaboration without confrontation” which is considered very relevant amid increasing global competition. Through this approach, Indonesia has successfully shown the world that by maintaining harmonious relationships, countries can support each other and achieve mutual prosperity without sacrificing the principle of national sovereignty.
President Prabowo’s success in attracting foreign investors’ interest, including from China, is an achievement that deserves appreciation. This cooperation has great potential to promote equitable development, accelerate economic growth, and create job opportunities for people in various regions. Public support becomes very important in realizing the success of government programs aimed at improving people’s welfare.
With the involvement and support of all elements of society, Indonesia can continue to develop a conducive investment climate, create positive synergies with friendly countries, and ensure that national economic growth brings benefits to all people. Let us together support every step of the government under President Prabowo’s leadership in realizing a more advanced, just, and prosperous Indonesia.
)* The author is a columnist for EkonomiTimes.com
