President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomatic efforts have yielded positive results, as confirmed by the Presidential Communication Office (PCO). Through various missions to different countries, President Prabowo has secured memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and significant investment commitments from partner nations. Senior Expert Philips J. Vermonte from the PCO highlighted that within less than a year in office, 71 MoUs with 13 countries have been signed, with investment commitments reaching nearly IDR 800 trillion from four countries. This signifies a strategic move to tap into new markets for Indonesia’s economic diplomacy, as mentioned during a public discussion titled “The Fruits of President Prabowo’s Diplomatic Outreach on the Global Stage”.
The event, organized by the Central Board of the Gerakan Milenial Pecinta Tanah Air (GEMPITA) at Retro Café, Beltway Office Park in Jakarta, also shed light on Indonesia’s entry into BRICS, showcasing a strategic market expansion strategy amidst global uncertainty. Philips emphasized that Indonesia’s partnership with BRICS does not indicate an anti-Western or anti-American stance, but rather a move to engage with major global powers in multilateral forums. This membership has also led to a significant reduction in U.S. import tariffs on Indonesian products, demonstrating the benefits of diplomatic engagements.
Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno further highlighted Indonesia’s efforts to secure additional tariff reductions, emphasizing that national interests drive trade diplomacy decisions. Indonesia currently boasts the lowest tariff rate in ASEAN at 19%, showcasing the country’s competitive edge in the region. Deputy Minister Havas urged the public to consider data-driven analysis rather than jumping to conclusions based on assumptions, emphasizing the importance of rational foreign policy decisions grounded in national interests.
