Prabowo: Downstreaming is the Only Path to Prosperity for Us
President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that downstream processing is the only path for Indonesia to attain prosperity. The policy is directed towards bolstering the foundations of the national economy through the processing of natural resources domestically.
The President conveyed this during the groundbreaking of Phase II of the national downstreaming project at Refinery Unit IV in Cilacap, Central Java, on Wednesday (29 April 2026). The event marks the launch of 13 strategic downstreaming projects across sectors, with an investment value of around Rp 116 trillion, encompassing the energy, minerals, and agriculture sectors.
“Downstreaming is the only way for us to become more prosperous,” said Prabowo, quoted on Thursday (30 April 2026).
He explained that the downstreaming initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen the development foundations laid by previous leaders. The process is viewed as a long journey in building national economic strength based on added value.
In his address, Prabowo also highlighted global dynamics affecting the national economy. He stressed the importance of nationalism, unity, and love for the homeland as the basis for strengthening national resilience.
“The only path to a successful national resurgence is nationalism, love for the homeland, and national unity,” stated the President.
The Head of State then touched on the long history of exploitation of the Nusantara’s natural resources by foreign powers. Indonesia’s natural wealth is considered the primary reason for the arrival of foreign nations over hundreds of years ago. In this context, the courage to manage and process natural resources domestically is a prerequisite for the nation to overcome backwardness.
Without such steps, natural wealth will not provide optimal welfare for the people. Therefore, downstreaming is positioned as the primary instrument to ensure added value is enjoyed domestically, rather than stopping at raw material exports. “Continuously study technology. Look at it mathematically, mathematically,” said Prabowo.
This Phase II groundbreaking encompasses 13 strategic projects, comprising five in the energy sector, five in the minerals sector, and three in the agriculture sector. Developments include the construction of a gasoline refinery in Cilacap and Dumai, fuel storage facilities in various regions, a dimethyl ether (DME) project in Tanjung Enim, as well as nickel, steel, copper, and gold downstreaming, and the processing of plantation commodities.