Prabowo Subianto, who was elected as President for the 2024-2029 period, is optimistic that Indonesia’s economy can achieve growth of up to 8% in the next two to three years.
This was stated by Prabowo during his attendance at the Qatar Economic Forum 2024 in Doha on Wednesday (15/5). During the event, Prabowo was asked about the projected economic growth of Indonesia that can be achieved during his five-year term.
“I am very confident, I have spoken with experts and studied the numbers. I am sure we can easily achieve 8%. I am determined to surpass it,” said Prabowo, who was accompanied by Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
“Yes, maybe (the hope) can be realized in the next two to three years,” he added.
Furthermore, Prabowo also mentioned that downstream policy will be the key to achieving future economic growth. Prabowo stated that downstream will still take several years to be implemented.
He also highlighted one aspect that will drive economic growth in the first year of his presidency, which is agriculture and food (production and distribution) as well as energy.
“We want to go green very quickly. We want to produce diesel from palm oil and this will be a strong driver of economic growth,” Prabowo explained.
“We have been importing $20 billion worth of diesel every year. So, imagine the savings we will make if we switch to biofuel,” he continued.
Prabowo emphasized that the downstream policy to reduce imports does not mean making Indonesia a country that adheres to protectionist economic concepts. He wants Indonesia to become an advanced industrial country and not just be a raw materials exporter.
According to him, every country will fight for its national interests, especially to protect its people.
“I think this is a misconception. We are not protectionist. What we are doing is very logical, every country in the world will fight for or protect its core national interests, its people,”
“We want to industrialize and that is our natural resources that must be protected for the sake of the people. We must get full value for it. We cannot continue to import industrial goods all the time. That is not fair to our people,” Prabowo emphasized.
