By: Andi Mahesa)*
President Prabowo Subianto conducted a series of official visits to several friendly countries. This visit is not only symbolic, but also a strategic step aimed at strengthening Indonesia’s economic cooperation with the international world. Amidst global economic uncertainty and increasingly complex geopolitical challenges, President Prabowo’s working visit is part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to maintain economic growth, attract investment, and expand export markets.
In this context, President Prabowo’s overseas visits are not only to fulfill diplomatic protocols, but also have important meaning in the economic context. Indonesia has great potential to become a center of trade and investment in the region. To realize this, Indonesia needs to build stronger relationships with global strategic partners. President Prabowo’s visits to several important countries such as China, the United States, Brazil, and countries in Europe can be seen as concrete steps to realize this vision.
President Prabowo’s presence in these countries provides a strong signal that Indonesia not only cares about diplomatic relations, but also optimizes economic sectors in various sectors, ranging from trade, investment, to infrastructure development that can provide direct benefits to the community.
The Head of the PKB MPR RI Faction, Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfa Hiz said that President Prabowo’s visit abroad could bring economic growth in the country. Therefore, she appealed for all cooperation agreements or MoUs that have been signed by the ministers to be implemented immediately.
One of the main focuses of President Prabowo’s overseas visit is to strengthen trade cooperation with partner countries. Indonesia as the fourth most populous country in the world has a very large market potential. This is certainly attractive to countries that want to expand their market reach.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Eddy Soeparno said that his party is optimistic that President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas visit can bring a positive impact to Indonesia. This visit not only strengthens diplomatic relations, but also shows Indonesia’s openness to foreign investment, especially in the sustainable sector, as well as the country’s readiness to face the challenges of the climate crisis.
According to him, the visit can also expand economic partnerships that can support Indonesia’s economic growth. This is evidenced by the investment agreement between Indonesia and China worth more than USD10 billion, which according to President Prabowo is a significant achievement for both countries.
President Prabowo is committed to building strong cooperation with China in various fields, especially in the economic field. His party wants to continue to cooperate and synergize with China which has again occupied an important position in the world. According to him, China is a great power that is not only influential in the economic field, but also as a center of civilization.
Therefore, the president views that the active participation of Chinese entrepreneurs is one of the important elements in strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. President Prabowo also said that in a constructive meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping, Indonesia expressed its commitment to strengthening collaboration and synergy between the two countries in a number of fields including the economy.
President Prabowo is optimistic that close cooperation between Indonesia and China is the path to peace and prosperity for both countries. Several memorandums of understanding have also been signed, demonstrating Indonesia and China’s commitment to expanding investment in various sectors. President Prabowo conveyed Indonesia’s commitment to creating a friendly investment climate by providing facilities and support for investors.
Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), Fabby Tumiwa said that Indonesia used President Prabowo’s visit to strengthen collaboration and support the low-carbon energy transition, green investment, technology transfer and the development of the clean energy technology industry in Indonesia.
With the advantage of mastering the world’s largest renewable energy technology and capacity, China can become a strategic partner for Indonesia in strengthening cooperation in three sectors, namely, investment in renewable energy infrastructure and energy storage, manufacturing and supply chains of clean energy technology, and industrial decarbonization, including low-carbon mineral processing.
Fabby also emphasized that the energy transition is not just an option, but a necessity to achieve national energy independence, while reducing emissions from the energy sector and achieving sustainable economic growth. The combination of renewable energy development, investment in renewable energy projects, and reducing emissions in the energy sector will support the achievement of the vision of eight percent economic growth in the Prabowo leadership era. That way, the green investment climate in the Prabowo era can continue to develop and can accelerate the development of renewable energy projects so that there is inclusive and equitable development throughout Indonesia.
Through this working visit, Indonesia seeks to open new opportunities in trade, investment, energy, and technology that can drive sustainable economic growth. Amid increasingly complex global challenges, strategic steps like this are crucial to ensure that Indonesia remains competitive in the global market and provides maximum benefits for the prosperity of its people.
)* The author is a student who lives in Jakarta
