President-elect for 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto is optimistic that Indonesia’s economy can achieve growth of up to 8% in the next two to three years. This was revealed by Prabowo during his attendance at the Qatar Economic Forum 2024 in Doha on Wednesday (15/5). At the event, Prabowo was asked about the projection of Indonesia’s economic growth that can be achieved during his five-year leadership term.
“I am very confident, I have spoken with experts and studied the numbers. I am sure we can easily reach 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 continued.
Prabowo also mentioned that downstream policies will be the key to achieving future economic growth. Prabowo stated that downstreaming will still need several years.
He also highlighted one aspect that will drive economic growth in the first year of his administration, 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,” said Prabowo.
“We currently import 20 billion US dollars worth of diesel every year. So, imagine the savings we will get if we switch to biofuel,” he added.
Prabowo emphasized that downstream policies to reduce imports do not mean making Indonesia a country that adheres to protectionist economic concepts. He wants Indonesia to be a developed industrial country and not just a raw material exporter.
According to him, every country will fight for 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 concluded.
