President Prabowo Subianto brought U.S-Indonesia investment deals into the global spotlight at the US Business Summit, securing $38.4 billion or approximately Rp650 trillion in deals during his visit to Washington, D.C. The agreements, signed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, marked a major milestone in the U.S-Indonesia trade partnership.
In total, 11 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) connected Indonesian and American companies across strategic sectors, including critical minerals, oil and gas, agriculture, semiconductors, and manufacturing. As a result, both countries signaled stronger economic alignment and deeper commercial collaboration.
11 MoUs Signed to Strengthen Bilateral Investment Ties
During the summit, Prabowo witnessed company leaders formalize the 11 memorandums of understanding in a high-level signing ceremony. Organizers held the ceremony during a Gala Iftar following the breaking of the fast. Senior government officials and leading executives from major U.S. corporations attended the event, reinforcing high-level support from both public and private sectors.
The agreements covered cooperation in critical minerals, oilfield recovery, corn and cotton supply, shredded worn clothing, furniture exports, semiconductors, and a transnational free trade zone partnership. Through these commitments, Indonesia and the United States strengthened cross-sector investment flows and expanded bilateral trade prospects.
In addition, participants joined an exclusive business roundtable to discuss policy relaxation, regulatory improvements, and reciprocal trade negotiations. Leaders focused on practical steps that could accelerate investment realization and increase two-way trade volume.
Indonesia Critical Minerals Cooperation Takes Center Stage
Indonesia’s critical minerals cooperation emerged as a central theme at the summit. Prabowo highlighted the country’s vast reserves of nickel, copper, and bauxite, which play a vital role in future technologies and the global energy transition. He also pointed to Indonesia’s rare earth potential as a strategic advantage.
“I believe we have strong advantages in critical minerals. I also received reports that Indonesia is one of the countries with the largest rare earth reserves in the world,” Prabowo said.
These resources support electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, and advanced technology supply chains. Therefore, American companies see Indonesia as an essential partner in securing long-term mineral access. The cooperation aligns with Indonesia’s broader downstream industrialization strategy, which aims to process raw materials domestically and create higher-value exports.
Indonesia Downstream Investment Projects Accelerate in 2026
Beyond resource extraction, Indonesia continues to push industrial acceleration through downstream investment projects. Prabowo explained that the Investment Management Agency Danantara will initiate 18 downstream projects in 2026. This move aims to strengthen domestic processing capacity and expand Indonesia’s role as a manufacturing base.
“We continue to move forward in industrial downstreaming, with Danantara as the main driving force. We are moving very quickly in these sectors,” Prabowo said.
Through this strategy, Indonesia seeks to attract more capital into refining, processing, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, the government wants foreign investors to view Indonesia not only as a source of raw materials but also as a competitive production hub in Southeast Asia. The country’s large economic scale further enhances its appeal as a regional growth engine.
US Indonesia Trade Partnership Enters New Phase
The US-Indonesia trade partnership now enters a more strategic phase, supported by regulatory certainty and long-term cooperation. Prabowo directly addressed American business leaders and reaffirmed Indonesia’s openness to foreign capital.
“We are very open to investment. We need investment, and we want more investment. We believe we are competitive and attractive,” he stated.
At the same time, he emphasized the importance of stability and governance for investors. “For business leaders, certainty is the most important thing. No one wants to invest in a situation or atmosphere filled with uncertainty, instability, or even chaos,” Prabowo said.
Ultimately, the summit demonstrated Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with the United States. By combining strategic resources, downstream industrial expansion, and regulatory assurance, Indonesia positions itself as a reliable partner for long-term investment growth.
Source: cnbcindonesia.com, kompas.com
Image: ANTARA/HO-Sekretariat Presiden
