Jakarta – The Indonesian Industrial Estates Association (HKI) considers President Prabowo Subianto’s directive regarding the role of higher education in supporting strategic investment and national downstreaming as an important step to expand job creation.
HKI Chairman Akhmad Ma’ruf Maulana stated that the President’s emphasis on university support for the 18 strategic downstream projects managed by Danantara demonstrates a more structured direction for industrial development. He believes these projects have significant potential to create new jobs, both in the construction and operational phases of the industry.
“HKI views the President’s directive as a strong signal that future industrial development must rely on human resource readiness, applied research, and innovation. This is highly relevant to ensuring that strategic investments truly add value to the national economy,” said Ma’ruf.
HKI assesses Danantara’s role as a strategic investment management body as crucial in accelerating the financing and implementation of downstream projects. Within the framework of job creation, industrial estates are positioned as key hubs, ensuring project progress through land readiness, utilities, service assurance, and an integrated industrial ecosystem.
According to Ma’ruf, the relationship between Danantara and the industrial estate is complementary. Danantara strengthens the financing and strategic project portfolio, while the industrial estate ensures the readiness of the location and business environment, allowing for rapid investment realization and broad job opportunities.
He emphasized that the success of the 18 strategic downstream projects would create a sustainable cycle of economic growth.
“When investment grows, the economy grows, and jobs are created. At the same time, the national industrial ecosystem will become stronger and more competitive,” he said.
To support workforce absorption, HKI has expressed its readiness to strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Development/BKPM. This includes accelerating industrial estate readiness, facilitating licensing, and addressing various obstacles that could slow investment realization and job creation.
In terms of workforce development, HKI also emphasizes the importance of university involvement in developing human resources that meet industry needs. This commitment was affirmed through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Investment/BKPM at the 2025 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) in the presence of President Prabowo Subianto.
“HKI is ready to actively participate in following up on the President’s directive. Industrial estates can become real laboratories for applied research, talent development, and the absorption of university graduates who meet the needs of future industries,” Ma’ruf concluded.
