Prabowo: Foreign Investment Must Align with National Interests

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that Indonesia is open to foreign investment, including from the United States, as long as it aligns with national interests. This was stated in relation to economic cooperation such as tariff agreements.

The basic principle, according to Prabowo, is that all incoming investments must comply with applicable domestic regulations, especially regarding the management of natural resources. “On that matter, I have already said, we are open. But everything at market price. At economic price,” he said, quoted on Sunday (22/3/2026).

Prabowo stressed the importance of applying international market-based prices in managing critical minerals and ensuring opportunities for foreign investors remain open as long as they follow those provisions.

The involvement of foreign investors in the mining sector, according to Prabowo, is not new. The government has long opened space for cooperation, such as the operations of PT Freeport Indonesia’s mine, which has become a major contributor to state revenue. “If they want to follow the rules, we permit it. Freeport has been operating for decades and now is one of our largest sources of revenue,” said Prabowo.

Nevertheless, Prabowo emphasised that policy remains the primary condition in managing natural resources. The government no longer permits the export of raw materials without domestic processing. “Raw materials must be processed domestically. If they want to mine and process here, of course we permit it,” he asserted.

Prabowo also views critical minerals as strategic commodities that must provide maximum added value to the national economy. “Critical minerals are commodities. As long as they pay according to international market prices, whoever manages it, we still get the economic value. The important thing is that we provide access with clear rules,” he said.

Thus, the government ensures that the door to investment remains open, but it must follow and support the downstreaming agenda to increase added value domestically.