President Prabowo: Downstreaming is Key to Nation’s Revival, Prosperity

President Prabowo delivers his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the national downstreaming project at Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap regency, Central Java province, Wednesday (4/29). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that industrial downstreaming is the path to Indonesia’s revival and a demonstration of the Government’s effort to strengthen the foundations of the national economy. This was stated in his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the national downstreaming project at Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap regency, Central Java province, Wednesday (4/29).

“What we have done in many sectors in the first year of my administration is to strengthen the foundations laid by previous presidents, from the first to the seventh president. I emphasize here that the revival of a nation, nation-building, and success of a nation is a long journey, a difficult journey, and not an easy journey,” he said.

He also reminded that the Indonesia’s journey is inseparable from various global dynamics that influence the national economic condition. Therefore, the President emphasized the importance of nationalism, unity, and love of the homeland as the main foundations to build the nation’s strength.

“I convey my belief, based on what I have learned from the history of global development, that the only path to the rise of a successful nation is nationalism, love of the homeland, and national unity,” he said.

Furthermore, President Prabowo highlighted the long history of exploitation of Indonesia’s natural resources by foreign powers who came to the Nusantara (Indonesia’s archipelago) for its natural wealth. “They wanted to control our wealth and resources. The world’s great powers at that time came to the Nusantara hundreds of years ago. Why? Because Nusantara is rich. They came here seeking and wanting to control our wealth,” he added.

In this context, the President emphasized that a nation’s courage to manage its own natural resources is a requisite for achieving prosperity. The Head of State believes that without such courage, a nation will continue to lag behind.

“The nation has been given extraordinary gifts by God; those who are unable and unwilling will remain poor. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, one of the courage is the nation’s courage to control and process its own resources in its own state,” said the President.

“Downstreaming is the only path for us to become more prosperous,” he emphasized.

Through downstreaming, the Government is driving Indonesia to move towards a future as a global economic power based on resources, supported by industry and rooted in national unity. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MMB)