The future Prabowo-Gibran administration will face the challenge of a decelerating manufacturing sector in Indonesia over the past 20 years. The manufacturing sector not only provides significant formal employment but also serves as a pathway for Indonesia to achieve high-income status. In response, PAN Secretary General Eddy Soeparno emphasized the commitment to strengthening the industrial and manufacturing sectors, marking them as priority programs for the Prabowo-Gibran administration. "From the beginning, PAN, along with Prabowo-Gibran, has committed that Indonesia should not only be a market base but must also become a production base for exports," Eddy stated in Jakarta on Friday, 7 June 2024. As the head of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Eddy explained that industrial development is the best avenue for employing skilled and educated workers.
However, beyond employment, government policies in this sector will focus on increasing the added value of domestically processed products. "Therefore, PAN will ensure that the future government prioritizes industry and manufacturing, not just because they absorb labor, but because they add value to the products processed by domestic industries," he added. Eddy noted that efforts to enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries will align with improving business conditions, from simplifying and expediting the licensing process, resolving inter-ministerial coordination issues, to ensuring the availability of affordable and environmentally friendly fuel. "PAN will actively work to continuously improve industrial competitiveness and make Indonesia an export base for flagship products ranging from footwear, textiles, batteries, to high-tech products," Eddy stated. "Currently, the industrial sector contributes 18% to GDP. Ideally, it should reach 28-30%. We achieved 28% in 2000 and 22% in 2002. This is what we strive for, to positively impact economic growth," Eddy concluded.
