President Prabowo Subianto Highlights Indonesia’s Economic Strategy at Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 15 Oktober 2025
Category: News
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President Prabowo Subianto attends the Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 at The St. Regis Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (10/15) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s independence and courage in strengthening the foundation of the national economy.

In the dialogue session “A Meeting of Minds” at the Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 at The St. Regis Hotel on Wednesday (10/15), the President underscored that the Government continues to empower the community and expand job opportunities, while strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy amid global dynamics.

The President also revealed that as part of the measures, the Government has granted amnesty for old debts of farmers and small business actors that are no longer possible to collect.

“I called several bankers and had discussion on this issue. I understand that in banks, after 25 years, most of these debts have already been written off in bank records,” said the President.

The Head of State also highlighted important achievements of the Government economic team led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, including the finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union.

This agreement, he said, is considered a significant breakthrough in expanding Indonesia’s market access amid increasingly competitive global trade conditions.

“I also witnessed the signing of CEPA with Canada and I think we are making efforts to establish such agreements with many other markets, including Latin America, RCEP, CPTPP, and so forth,” added the President.

In addition to expanding international cooperation, President Prabowo Subianto also emphasized the importance of strengthening the domestic market as the main driver of economic growth.

The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program was mentioned as having created a large multiplier effect on employment and national economic growth.
“Even with this Free Nutritious Program alone, we have created 1.5 million jobs directly. There are 30,000 kitchens, each employing 50 people. With two or three shifts, that is 1.5 million people in total. Economists told me that 1% of economic growth creates 400,000 jobs. Well, we have created 1.5 million jobs. That is equivalent to 3%. That does not yet include 81,000 cooperatives,” said the President.

The President went on to explain that the policy has brought positive impacts on the growth of local entrepreneurship and increased public consumption, which is the main driver of the economy.

On that occasion, the President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restructuring state-owned enterprises to become more efficient and globally competitive.

“So, I have given directives to Chairperson of Danantara to realize it, including to slash the number of SOEs from around 1,000 to a more rational number, maybe 200, or 230, 240, and then run them according to international standards. I believe the rate of return of 1% or 2% can and must be increased,” he stated, while emphasizing that the success of the national economic must start with a strong understanding of economic principles.

“If you do not understand economics, you can easily be played by the economists. You must not be afraid of what experts say. I speak to my younger generation,” he remarked. (BPMI) (EST/EP)

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