By: Dian Susilawati)*
The government continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to facing the challenges of the global economic downturn that is currently hitting various countries. With an active diplomatic approach, strengthening the digital economy sector, and solid fiscal-monetary policy coordination, the government is determined to maintain national economic stability while opening up opportunities for more inclusive growth.
One of the concrete steps taken by President Prabowo is to strengthen international cooperation, especially with strategic partner countries. The state visit to Brunei Darussalam on May 14, 2025, was an important milestone in expanding collaboration in the fields of economics, food security, and protection of migrant workers. In the bilateral meeting, the two heads of state emphasized the importance of strengthening relations that have existed for more than four decades. The spirit of partnership is part of Indonesia’s economic diplomacy which aims to improve people’s welfare through concrete cooperation.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who accompanied President Prabowo on the visit, said that Indonesia is committed to expanding strategic cooperation with Brunei. The main focus includes trade, protection of Indonesian citizens, and collaboration on food security issues that are currently of global concern. This approach not only strengthens bilateral relations but also opens up investment and trade channels that can support national economic growth amidst global uncertainty.
Domestically, Indonesia’s economic foundations remain well-maintained despite external pressures such as global trade tensions and international interest rate fluctuations. Bank Indonesia data noted that the stability of the national financial system in the first quarter of 2025 remained intact, reflecting the effectiveness of government policies in maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized that the Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK), consisting of the Ministry of Finance, Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), continues to improve synergy between institutions to respond to global economic dynamics. According to her, solid policy coordination is key to reducing external pressures and maintaining the sustainability of national economic growth.
He also said that harmony between fiscal and monetary policies under President Prabowo’s leadership is very important for Indonesia to remain on a stable growth path. By continuing to strengthen cross-agency coordination, the government is optimistic that it will be able to maintain the momentum of healthy and inclusive economic growth.
Amidst complex global challenges, the government is also encouraging the development of the digital economy sector as a new growth engine. Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, Bambang Soesatyo, assessed the importance of the strategic role of educational institutions in dealing with economic pressures. According to him, the development of a digital economy based on artificial intelligence (AI) and technological innovation can be an alternative solution in increasing people’s purchasing power and creating new jobs.
Through cross-sector collaboration, digital training, and entrepreneurship initiatives initiated by the government can be a driving force in building an inclusive and highly competitive digital ecosystem. The success of these initiatives will not only provide direct benefits to certain individuals or groups, but also drive Indonesia’s overall economic growth.
Bambang Soesatyo also said that Indonesia’s digital economy thanks to the government’s strategic policy direction in the digital sector has great potential to become the largest in Southeast Asia. Referring to the e-Conomy SEA report, the projection of Indonesia’s digital economy is estimated to reach USD 220–360 billion by 2030. To that end, the government has prepared the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (Stranas KA) 2020–2045 to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the nation’s competitiveness.
This step is in line with President Prabowo’s vision of making technology a catalyst for national economic growth. The government understands that the challenge ahead is not only about maintaining growth, but also creating a development model that is adaptive to changing times.
With a comprehensive approach, from international diplomacy, strengthening fiscal foundations, to developing the digital sector, President Prabowo’s government has emphasized its readiness to face global economic turmoil. Collaboration between the government, business world, educational institutions, and civil society is an important element in strengthening national economic resilience.
Through strong commitment and strategic steps that have been taken, Indonesia is in a better position to navigate global challenges and take advantage of opportunities arising from technology-based economic transformation. The government is not only working to maintain stability, but also to prepare a solid foundation for more inclusive and sustainable growth in the future.
As part of the medium and long-term strategy, President Prabowo’s administration will also encourage strengthening human resources through vocational education and job training that are relevant to the needs of future industries. These programs will focus on the technology sector, modern agriculture, and new renewable energy to ensure that Indonesia’s young generation is able to compete globally. This effort is in line with the national development target to create a productive workforce that supports the transformation of the knowledge-based and innovation-based economy, while strengthening the nation’s competitiveness in the midst of the industrial era 4.0 and the green economy era.
)* The author is a Strategic Issue Observer
