Heaptalk, Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto led a limited meeting with several ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet in Hambalang, Bogor Regency, on Sunday (03/16) to discuss the acceleration of national downstream development across various strategic sectors. The primary focus of the meeting was to ensure that downstream projects deliver tangible impacts on job creation and equitable economic growth across all regions of Indonesia.
Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry/Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani stated that his office and related ministries have inventoried several downstream projects in the mineral, coal, aquaculture, agriculture, and plantation sectors. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine priority projects capable of delivering maximum benefits to the economy and public welfare.
“We prioritize projects that have a positive impact, especially job creation. That is one of the main parameters we considered,” said Rosan after the meeting.
Rosan added that downstream projects are also assessed based on their contribution to reducing imports, increasing exports, and strengthening the competitiveness of the national industry. Rosan emphasized President Prabowo’s directive that downstream should not stop at the initial stage but should serve as a gateway to broader industrialization.
“The President’s directive is to focus on projects that create multiplier effects. This can lead to industrialization since downstream is part of the broader industrialization process,” he explained. Not only are downstream projects focused on macroeconomics, but they are also designed to involve fish farmers, plantation farmers, and local communities to ensure their welfare improves as well.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia affirmed that the Sunday meeting reflected the President’s seriousness in driving downstream. Bahlil also expressed appreciation for President Prabowo’s commitment and that of his cabinet members. He said, “This demonstrates the President’s serious attention in overseeing and monitoring the programs he has instructed his ministers to implement.”
Bahlil explained that the meeting followed the President’s decision to implement 21 priority downstream projects. President Prabowo directed that these projects prioritize labor absorption, combine technology with labor-intensive methods, and focus on import-substitution industries. “The President directed us to ensure that the implementation is truly professional and has high economic value,” Bahlil concluded.
