RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto made a strong pitch to American business leaders on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, positioning Indonesia as a premier global investment destination.

Speaking at a Business Summit hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., he emphasized that Indonesia is not merely a supplier of raw materials but a rapidly industrializing nation ready for high-tech partnerships.

“We are very open to investment. We need investment, and we want more. We are confident that we are competitive and attractive,” President Prabowo told US executives, as quoted by Antara.

He highlighted Indonesia’s strategic role in the global supply chain, particularly in minerals essential for future technologies. He noted that Indonesia’s resources extend beyond nickel, copper, and bauxite. “I think we have strength in critical minerals. I have also received reports that Indonesia is one of the countries with the largest rare earth reserves in the world,” he said.

These minerals are vital for the production of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy components, and advanced electronics.

A major theme of President Prabowo’s address was industrial downstreaming (hilirisasi). He explained that Indonesia is moving away from exporting raw ores and shifting toward high-value domestic processing. He revealed that the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara) will serve as the driving force for this growth.

BPI Danantara is set to launch 18 strategic downstreaming projects this year to accelerate national industrial development. Among the priorities is a waste-to-energy initiative valued at USD 3 billion, aimed at transforming urban waste management into a sustainable power source.

“We continue to move in industrial downstreaming, where Danantara is the main driving motor. We are moving very quickly in those sectors,” President Prabowo said, urging US firms to view Indonesia not only as an investment destination but also as a primary production base.

He assured international investors that Indonesia remains committed to maintaining a stable investment climate through regulatory certainty, law enforcement, and good governance. “For business leaders, certainty is the most important thing. No one wants to invest in a situation or atmosphere filled with uncertainty, instability, or even chaos,” he remarked.

President Prabowo also underlined Indonesia’s position as a strategic partner in Southeast Asia, offering both a large domestic economy and access to the wider regional market. ***