"I emphasize that the government I lead has a policy of friendly politics with all countries," Prabowo stated at the Industropolis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Batang, Central Java, on Thursday.
In his remarks, Prabowo emphasized the importance of being "a good neighbor" to other countries, adhering to the principle of “a thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many."
He believes that this approach will guide Indonesia toward a better and more prosperous future.
Speaking about the inauguration of the Batang Industropolis SEZ, a collaboration between Indonesia and China, Prabowo noted that it stemmed from discussions he had several times with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He emphasized the need to enhance bilateral cooperation, given the shared region and centuries-long interactions between Indonesia and China. The president believes there is significant potential to build mutually beneficial relations.
"We have a good future, with the key being cooperation and good relations," Prabowo noted.
In particular, Prabowo praised the transformation of the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KITB) into the Batang Industropolis SEZ, which is aimed at boosting investment in Central Java.
He remarked that numerous companies are involved in the development of the SEZ, including seven already operational, seven other companies under construction and 13 other companies in the industrial development planning stages.
The president said that the government's future plan to create jobs through investment, as well as increase added value to commodity raw materials through downstreaming is increasingly promising.
"The investments that we will implement starting this year will bear fruit in downstreaming so the added value of all our raw materials can benefit all Indonesian people. It will also create up to 8 million jobs in the next 5 years,” Prabowo noted.
The Batang Industropolis SEZ is expected to attract an investment value of Rp75.8 trillion (US$4.5 billion) in the next 5 years and absorb 58,145 workers.
It is also expected to become a modern industrial hub akin to Shenzhen in China.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
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