USABC Delegation Convenes with Newly Inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and "Merah Putih" Cabinet Ministers to Advance U.S.-Indonesia Partnership

(Jakarta) On December 3-5, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of 50 U.S. companies to engage with President Prabowo Subianto who was accompanied by his Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Investment and Downstreaming Industry Minister, Foreign Minister, among others, in Jakarta. Being USABC’s largest ever, this mission coincided with Indonesia’s recent inauguration of a new President and Cabinet and the United States’ transition to a new administration. This year’s mission also takes place on the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the US-ASEAN Business Council. The Mission was co-led by USABC President and CEO Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.), Senior Vice President and Managing Director of USABC Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), as well as Chargé d’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington Ida Bagus Made Bimantara. In addition, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir was also in attendance.

During the meeting, President Prabowo acknowledged the steadfast support of USABC member companies and expressed his administration’s commitment to supporting U.S. businesses dedicated to enhancing trade and investment in Indonesia. He encouraged continued dialogue and collaboration on shared priorities. The USABC delegation voiced support for the administration’s key initiatives and offered recommendations on critical areas, including health and nutrition, digital economy including digital payment, cybersecurity and AI, and energy transition. This mission underscored the strong U.S.-Indonesia relationship, as highlighted by Chargé d’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, Ida Bagus Made Bimantara, who remarked, “President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Washington D.C. last month generated significant momentum, sparked excitement, and initiated meaningful dialogues.

As the first tangible form of support to the administration’s goals, USABC presented a Sector Overview Report study to the President and other cabinet members. The study was done in collaboration with Lembaga Penyelidikan Ekonomi dan Masyarakat Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, University of Indonesia (LPEM FEB UI) titled “Navigating Opportunities: Nurturing Dynamic Economic Policies in Indonesia.” ​ This report highlights strategic issues and policy recommendations on seven sectors including Travel and Tourism, Healthcare, ICT, Film Entertainment, Trade Facilitation, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Food and Agriculture. Amb. Osius stated that, “this report is intended to support Indonesia’s goals to achieve high economic growth, strengthen the digital economy ecosystem, and lift Indonesia’s role in the regional and global supply chain – all of which can be achieved with strong solid public-private partnerships.”

The USABC delegation has had discussions regarding public-private partnerships in various sectors with 20 leaders from various Ministries/agencies including Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Finance Minister, Trade Minister, Minister of State Owned Enterprise, Financial Service Authority (OJK), National Cyber Security and Crypto Agency (BSSN) Chairman, among others. The delegation had the chance to meet with new ministries and agencies, the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, National Economic Council, and National Nutrition Agency. The Mission also celebrated the United States’ and Indonesia’s 75 years of diplomatic partnership during a reception hosted by Ambassador Kamala Lakhdhir. ​ “As we mark 75 years of U.S.-Indonesia relations, we are celebrating the outsized positive impact that American companies are contributing to Indonesia’s sustained economic prosperity,” said Ambassador Lakhdhir. “U.S. companies don’t just bring capital. They hire locally, operate transparently, respect the law, and create opportunities for innovation, training, and resilience.”