President Prabowo’s East Asia Tour Deliver Concrete Economic Gains

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: Indonesia returned from President Prabowo Subianto’s state visits to Japan and South Korea with a remarkable achievement: concrete investment pledges worth USD 33.89 billion (approximately IDR 575 trillion).

The commitments, announced upon his arrival back in Jakarta on Thursday, April 2, 2026, underscore both the economic weight of the trip and the growing confidence of global investors in Indonesia’s policy direction.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the agreements include USD 23.63 billion from Japan and USD 10.26 billion from South Korea. He emphasized that the scale of these commitments reflects strong trust in Indonesia’s economic agenda, particularly in industrial downstreaming, energy resilience, and strategic national development.

The government has pledged to closely monitor the implementation of these commitments, ensuring they translate into tangible benefits such as job creation, economic growth, and improved public welfare.

Beyond investment, the visit highlighted a deepening political and cultural rapport. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warmly welcomed President Prabowo at Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) in Seoul, noting their shared vision of prioritizing citizens’ welfare.

“President Prabowo and I share many common views -- that happiness and prosperity of the people must be the foremost priority in governance,” Lee said during a state luncheon on Wednesday, April 1.

President Lee also praised Indonesia’s support for Korean investment and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation through strategic initiatives, including Danantara, Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, which he noted has grown into a global-scale entity.

The visit to Seoul produced 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across critical sectors, ranging from economic cooperation and digital development to clean energy and intellectual property protection. The agreements are designed to foster long-term collaboration and future-oriented industries.

President Prabowo underscored the importance of the partnership, describing South Korea as a “close friend” of Indonesia. He highlighted the complementary strengths of both nations: Indonesia’s abundant resources and large market, and Korea’s advanced technology and scientific expertise.

“Your industry and science are highly developed, while we have vast resources and a significant market. Together, we can complement each other,” President Prabowo remarked.

He also stressed the urgency of reinforcing bilateral cooperation amid global uncertainty. “My state visit comes at a time when the world faces instability and danger. This makes relations between countries like Indonesia and Korea even more vital,” he said.

President Prabowo’s East Asia tour demonstrated Indonesia’s proactive diplomacy and economic ambition. By securing substantial investment commitments and reinforcing strategic partnerships, the visit delivered outcomes that go beyond symbolic gestures.

It positioned Indonesia as a trusted partner in Asia’s economic landscape and signaled the government’s determination to ensure foreign engagements yield concrete benefits at home.

As Indonesia prepares for the challenges of global competition and economic transformation, the commitments from Japan and South Korea stand as a testament to the country’s growing appeal as a destination for strategic investment.

For President Prabowo, the tour was not only about diplomacy, it was also about securing Indonesia’s place in the future of regional and global cooperation. ***