By: Syifa Mardani Fitri)*
The concrete steps taken by the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara) to strengthen international partnerships through strategic cooperation with the United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC) are a strong signal of the direction of Indonesia’s investment policy which is increasingly proactive and progressive. The recent meeting between Danantara leaders and USDFC executives at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC is not only a symbol of active economic diplomacy, but also a representation of systematic efforts in building a funding ecosystem that supports the national transformation agenda.
In a world increasingly driven by the need for energy transition and digitalization, cross-border investment cooperation is essential to address future challenges. Danantara and USDFC’s commitment to collaborate on energy transition and digital transformation reflects a shared awareness that sustainability and technology are two key drivers of inclusive economic growth.
Through a sustainable financing-based approach, this collaboration is expected to pave the way for national priority projects to gain access to competitive international funding. This is very relevant to the context of Indonesia’s development which is currently moving towards a green and digital economy model, with development pillars that support energy efficiency, decarbonization, and expansion of connectivity and digitalization in various lines of community life.
The meeting, which took place in a constructive and enthusiastic atmosphere, became the initial foundation for developing a more diverse and targeted international financing scheme. As a United States development finance institution, USDFC views Indonesia as a strategic partner with long-term prospects in sustainability-oriented investments. This view certainly strengthens Indonesia’s position as a promising global investment destination, while opening up greater opportunities for financing transformative projects in the future.
Previously, Juwai IQI Chief Economist Shan Saeed said the government’s decision to form Danantara was a strategic step to attract foreign investment from various potential countries. Danantara can direct investment to productive sectors, especially amidst Indonesia’s large demographic potential and very solid and resilient macroeconomic stability. In addition, Danantara Indonesia’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Pandu Sjahrir has also expanded investment diplomacy through meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besson and former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the prestigious international forum The Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. This discussion marks the strengthening of international trust in the direction of Indonesia’s stable and long-term-oriented economy.
Indonesia-US bilateral relations have entered a new phase that is dynamic and mutually beneficial. With Indonesia’s strategic position as a developing country with large natural resource potential and domestic market, the synergy built with international financial institutions such as USDFC will play an important role in accelerating the national development agenda.
The energy sector is the main focus of this cooperation, especially in the context of energy security, clean energy development, and strengthening refinery infrastructure . Investment in this sector will not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but also open up great opportunities for the emergence of a new energy ecosystem that is environmentally friendly, absorbs labor, and supports the net zero emission target that has been set by the government.
In addition to energy, digital transformation is also an important element of the Danantara-USDFC cooperation. In the era of the industrial revolution 4.0, the development of digital infrastructure is an absolute requirement to increase national competitiveness. Investment in this field will strengthen Indonesia’s technological capacity, expand internet access to remote areas, and encourage inclusive digital economic growth for all levels of society.
Danantara’s move also shows a new leadership pattern that is adaptive and open to global collaboration. Rosan Roeslani as CEO of Danantara shows his commitment to making this institution a strategic bridge between national development needs and international investment opportunities. The approach taken is not merely pursuing financing, but also building investment governance that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to global economic dynamics.
The cooperation between Danantara and USDFC also has long-term strategic value in strengthening economic relations between Indonesia and the US. Investments born from this partnership have the potential to create a multiplier effect in the form of technological improvements, growth of the real sector, and job creation in the country. The involvement of international financial institutions in national projects will increase Indonesia’s credibility in the eyes of global investors and strengthen the architecture of development financing.
In the future, this collaboration is expected to become a model of modern investment partnership that unites the vision of sustainability, technological transformation, and national strategic interests. Danantara, as the manager of Indonesia’s strategic investment fund, has a key position to manage this trust wisely and oriented towards long-term results.
)* The author is an economic observer
