Prabowo invites US entrepreneurs to strengthen Indonesian industrialization

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto invited entrepreneurs in the United States (US) to partner with Indonesia in modernization and industrialization efforts.

"We hope to find partners who are ready to join our ongoing efforts to modernize and industrialize our country," the President said at a Business Forum with the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., Wednesday, February 18 local time, reported by ANTARA.

The Head of State will sign a trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States (US) during his visit to the US.

President Prabowo conveyed Indonesia's commitment to facilitate investment certainty for domestic and foreign business actors.

"I'm here to conclude a major trade agreement between our two countries. I think this is a very significant agreement for business people and investors from both countries, as well as for the wider Pacific region," said the President.

The Head of State emphasized that this cooperation sends a clear signal that Indonesia and the United States choose to continue to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen market access, and create greater certainty for the business world.

The President said that Indonesia's newly formed sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, is currently carrying out various downstream projects.

"We continue to move forward with downstream processing. And I think Danantara will be a key machine for this step. For example, we have just started 18 new projects, downstream processing this year," said the President.

The Head of State said that Danantara was able to become a key partner for companies and investors in the industrial sector.

"I think for American companies, Indonesia will not only be an interesting market, but we also hope that Indonesia will be used as a production base. Indonesia can be seen as a good strategic partner for this region," he said.

President Prabowo also stated that Indonesia's economic fundamentals are strong. Economic growth is stable at over 5 percent. Inflation is under control.

The government also continues to maintain fiscal discipline. State stability is maintained to become an attractive investment destination for foreign investors.

"Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is very good. Last year it reached USD 53 billion. This reflects confidence in our economy, the size of our market, growth potential, political stability, and the direction of our policies," he said.