Chair of Commerce, Industry Chamber to Strengthen Collaboration between Gov’t, Private Sector

President Prabowo Subianto (07/31) met with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and heads of business associations at the State Palace in Jakarta.

The meeting served as a forum for dialogue between the Government and the private sector on economic conditions, implementation of national priority programs, and opportunities to enhance cooperation.

According to the President, the meeting with the Kadin is essential to strengthen the synergy between the Government and businesspeople in national development.

“I would like to express my appreciation for your presence here. When I learned that Kadin wanted a meeting, I said it was very important and made meeting you a priority,” he said.

During the meeting, Chair of Indonesian Kadin Anindya Novyan Bakrie reaffirmed his commitment to continuing to serve as a strategic partner to the Government in strengthening national economic resilience and promoting economic growth to 8 percent.

Anindya stated that the private sector continues to prepare for global economic and geopolitical turmoil, adding that Kadin decided to work with the Government to find solutions, especially to strengthen food, energy, and economic security.

“Kadin has been preparing since last year. We chose to think optimistically and find solutions because everywhere we go, all countries face the same challenges,” he said, adding that close collaboration between regional governments and the private sector contributes to regional economic growth, given several factors outside the State Budget and regional budgets, namely investment, creativity, and the proactivity of businesspeople in the regions.

Anindya also reported to the President the implementation of four priority programs aimed at supporting the Government’s agenda, namely Gotong Royong Free Nutritious Meal, Free Medical Check-up, protection and competency improvement of Indonesian migrant workers, and renovation of uninhabitable houses.

Anindya noted that Kadin has contributed to the Free Nutritious Meal program by installing 866 kitchens, including 128 in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions. He added that Kadin has prepared a certification and training program for 208,000 Indonesian migrant workers to enhance their competency, and has supported the three million affordable housing initiative, which is believed to drive growth across multiple sectors and create jobs.

Anindya further said that in economic diplomacy, Kadin has established the Kadin Global Engagement Office to optimize trade and economic partnership opportunities and link businesspeople with investment, trade, and industrialization opportunities.

Anindya also introduced the “We Buy from Indonesia” initiative, a technology and trade platform that features Indonesian products that have become a part of the global supply chain. The initiative aims to expand the market, increase national product purchases, and strengthen the capacity of domestic producers.

The Chair of Kadin closed his report by conveying the private sector’s readiness to continue to cooperate with the Government to promote economic transformation, aiming to maintain the momentum for economic growth and overcome the middle-income trap.

“Indonesia’s economy grew by 5 percent in 20 years. However, to level up and overcome the middle-income trap, we must gradually achieve 8 percent [growth].  And we noticed that there is a high possibility of achieving it if we work together,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/MMB)