Prabowo Invites European Hospitals And Campuses To Enter Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto (doc Gerindra)

JAKARTA - In his meeting with the President of the European Council Ant ruhiio Costa in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, July 13, President Prabowo Subianto stated that hospitals and clinics from abroad can currently open branches and operate in Indonesia.

Therefore, President Prabowo sent a signal that in the future a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union was signed, then European hospitals could also open branches in Indonesia.

"In the last two years, we have opened foreign participation in many sectors, and now we are opening the health sector. Any foreign hospital, or health institution abroad, can open their branches, or institutions related to them in Indonesia. We have allowed foreign hospitals to open in Indonesia," President Prabowo told President Costa when the two met at the European Council Office, Berlaymont Building, Brussels.

The President then emphasized that he wanted to see more of Europe's involvement in the Indonesian economy, and vice versa, Indonesia was ready to enter the European economy.

For President Prabowo, Europe has many advantages and experience in the development of technology and science, as well as governance, and financial and economic excellence. Indonesia, on the other hand, also has many rare mineral reserves and natural resources.

Therefore, President Prabowo believes that the existence of CEPA between Indonesia and the European Union can be mutually beneficial for both parties.

"We want to see more European participation in our economy, and we are ready to enter the EU economy. I think we have a mutually beneficial relationship," said President Prabowo.

Not only hospitals, President Prabowo also said that foreign campuses are currently also allowed to open branches and operate in Indonesia. President Prabowo also expressed his desire to send more Indonesian students to continue his studies in Europe.

"We send 3,394 students each year to continue their studies in Europe, and to date, we have financed 11,784 students (for studies in Europe, ed.), and this figure is outside of students who pay for their own studies in Europe. So, this is sponsored by the government, and we want to see more Indonesian students continue their studies in Europe," said President Prabowo.

President Prabowo announced that the CEPA Indonesia and the European Union negotiations were completed when a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission Office, Berlaymont Building, Brussels, Sunday, July 13. Indonesia and the European Union have negotiated to discuss the points of CEPA cooperation for approximately 10 years.

The success was also welcomed positively by President von der Leyen and President Costa, two EU leaders met by President Prabowo in Brussels on Sunday. The two meetings are part of President Prabowo's overseas visit to Brussels since Saturday 12 July.

During his official visit to Brussels, President Prabowo was accompanied by several Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, namely Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/CEO Danantara Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, then there was Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium Andri Hadi.