"The programs initiated by President Prabowo are of great importance, as they can directly pave the way for equity and stimulate the emergence of new economic nodes," he remarked at the International Conference on Infrastructure 2025 in Jakarta on Thursday.
His statements follow revised economic growth projections by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding Indonesia.
The World Bank lowered its projection for this year from five percent to 4.7 percent, while the IMF revised its forecasts for 2025 and 2026 to the same rate of 4.7 percent from 5.1 percent.
In this regard, Pandjaitan spotlighted the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, emphasizing its potential to help the country approach the eight percent growth target.
The DEN chairman stressed that optimal implementation of the initiative would certainly have a positive impact on the national economy.
"I believe that if we are consistent with this program, we will be able to achieve the targeted growth rate in 2028, 2029, or 2030," he stated.
Pandjaitan, who earlier served as coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, supported his optimistic outlook by citing Indonesia’s abundance of valuable natural resources and derivative commodities.
He cited as an example that Indonesia is a producer of incense, which has a global market value of approximately US$23 billion.
He also highlighted the country's abundance of marine commodities, including lobsters, abalones, and seaweed.
Regarding seaweed, he shared that various parties, including the investment management agency, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), had shown investment interest.
"Even the government, through Danantara, has made its eagerness clear. We are currently awaiting the results of a study conducted by Berkeley University and Indonesia," he stated.
Translator: Imamatul S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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