By: Gavin Asadit
Indonesia is entering a new era in its national economic landscape with the launch of the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, known as Danantara. Officially introduced by President Prabowo Subianto, Danantara represents a strategic breakthrough in state asset management and aims to accelerate integrated, globally competitive national economic development. Backed by full support from related ministries and the country’s abundant resources, Danantara is expected to become one of the key engines driving Indonesia’s economic transformation toward a more sovereign and competitive future.
Danantara is not just an investment institution—it is a symbol of a new economic civilization, designed to respond to global challenges and seize investment opportunities with greater focus and professionalism. According to Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Aminuddin Ma’ruf, Danantara plays a strategic role in pushing Indonesian SOEs to become world-class corporations.
One of Danantara’s concrete steps toward strengthening its global position was its international collaboration initiative. During an official visit to Qatar in April 2025, President Prabowo secured a joint investment agreement with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, creating a USD 4 billion investment fund (approximately IDR 66 trillion), with each country contributing USD 2 billion. This investment will focus on downstream industrialization, renewable energy, healthcare, technology, and other productive sectors aligned with Indonesia’s national development priorities.
Qatar’s commitment to partnering with Danantara reflects global confidence in Indonesia’s potential under new leadership and a more resilient institutional structure. President Prabowo affirmed that the partnership signifies positive momentum in Indonesia’s economic diplomacy and global trust in the country’s inclusive and sustainable economic transformation strategy. He also noted that the Emir’s enthusiasm for the project signals a promising outlook for Danantara as a leading investment vehicle.
Minister of Public Housing and Settlements, Maruarar Sirait, added that Qatar’s investment is a clear testament to the high level of trust placed in President Prabowo’s leadership, especially as Indonesia is recognized for its stable political communication.
Danantara is designed to operate with flexibility while adhering to regulations and principles of good governance. It serves two main functions: first, as a holding company managing large but underperforming state-owned enterprises, and second, as an investment institution channeling funds into high-growth potential sectors. In the medium to long term, Danantara is expected to evolve into a world-class sovereign wealth fund (SWF)—not only attracting foreign capital but also becoming a strategic partner in developing Indonesia’s flagship projects.
The launch of Danantara also marks a new era of cross-sector collaboration. Its strategic projects will involve both government entities and open wide opportunities for private sector participation—both domestic and international. Danantara’s initial focus includes metal processing, artificial intelligence development, oil refining, food production, and green energy initiatives. All projects are designed to support industrial downstreaming, enhance national resilience, and boost Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global market.
Additionally, in the coming months, Danantara is expected to forge more partnerships with countries in the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia to broaden its investment portfolio. One of Danantara’s unique approaches is its principle of cross-border economic synergy, where investment projects are jointly managed and focused on long-term shared benefits. This not only strengthens Indonesia’s global standing but also delivers tangible impacts on job creation and domestic economic growth.
Founded amid global economic challenges and rising geopolitical tensions, Danantara emerges with high hopes. The government envisions Danantara as a means to strengthen Indonesia’s economic structure, expand strategic international partnerships, and deliver real benefits to the people. If managed well, Danantara has the potential to become a new icon of Indonesia’s economic sovereignty, comparable to similar institutions in developed countries.
With a spirit of transformation and a global vision, Danantara is now ready to step onto the international stage. It is not only a new symbol of the national economy, but also a representation of Indonesia’s renewed optimism to rise as a respected global economic power.
