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President Prabowo Subianto at Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 themed A Meeting of Minds in South Jakarta, Wednesday (15/10/2025) evening WIB.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Prabowo Subianto expressed the importance of Indonesia's independence and courage in strengthening the foundation of the national economy. President emphasized that the government continues to work to empower people and expand employment opportunities, while strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy amid global dynamics.
According to him, one of the concrete steps the government has taken is to grant forgiveness for the old debts of farmers and small businesses. For Prabowo, all that debt is already unrealistic to collect.
“I called some bankers, we had a discussion. And basically I understand that actually in the bank, after 25 years, most of the debt has already been written off in the bank's books,” Prabowo said during the dialogue session 'A Meeting of Minds' at the Forbes Global CEO Conference 2025 event at The St.Regis Hotel, South Jakarta on Wednesday (15/10/2025) evening WIB.
Prabowo highlighted the important achievements of the government economic team led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, including through the completion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union. He said the deal was an important breakthrough in expanding Indonesia's market access amid an increasingly competitive global trade situation.
“I also witnessed the signing of CEPA with Canada and I think we are increasingly trying to forge agreements like this with many other markets, including Latin America, RCEP, and CPTPP, and so on,” Prabowo said.
In addition to expanding international cooperation, he also stressed the importance of strengthening the domestic market as the main driver of economic growth. The Free Nutritious Eating Program (MBG) is called to have created a large multiplier effect on employment and national economic growth.
“Even with this free meal program alone, we've created 1.5 million direct jobs, instantly. There are 30 thousand kitchens, each employing 50 people. With two or three shifts, so 50 people times 30 thousand, that's 1.5 million. Economic experts tell me that 1 percent growth creates 400,000 jobs. Well, we've created 1.5 million jobs. That equates to 3 percent. And that doesn't include 81,000 operatives,” Prabowo said.
