Prabowo UK Visit Delivers $5.8 Billion Pledge and 1,582-Vessel Maritime Deal
Key Takeaways
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LONDON, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto concludes his working visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 in London after securing major investment, maritime, and education commitments aimed at strengthening Indonesia’s economy and human capital.
The visit results in a £4 billion investment commitment, equal to Rp 90 trillion, cooperation in the maritime sector, and an agreement to build 1,582 fishing vessels to be produced and assembled in Indonesia, a move expected to create large-scale employment.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya says the president holds a series of high-level meetings, including talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and an audience with King Charles III.
“So today, Jan 21, 2026, the president has completed his agenda in the UK, with several key meetings, starting with Prime Minister Starmer,” Teddy tells reporters at Stansted Airport, London.
He says the investment and maritime cooperation are designed to ensure tangible domestic impact, particularly through local production and job creation in Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry.
“What makes this interesting is that, according to the minister of marine affairs, these vessels will employ around 600,000 people because they will be produced and assembled in Indonesia,” Teddy says.
Beyond economic cooperation, Prabowo places strong emphasis on higher education development by meeting 24 professors from leading UK universities, including King’s College London, the University of Oxford, and Imperial College London.
“The main point is education cooperation, because the president wants to establish 10 new universities in Indonesia, especially in medicine and in STEM fields,” Teddy says.
The cooperation covers expanded student intake, potential establishment of UK university campuses in Indonesia, and lecturer exchange programs, alongside engagement with the Russell Group to improve the global standing of Indonesian universities.
During the trip, Prabowo also chairs a virtual coordination meeting with the Forest Area Control Task Force, leading to the revocation of permits held by companies proven to have violated regulations.
“After receiving the task force report, the president decided to revoke the licenses of companies that were found to be in violation,” Teddy says.
He stresses that every overseas visit by the president is designed to deliver concrete outcomes for Indonesia.
“The essence is that whenever the president travels abroad, he wants results, products, and positive impacts for Indonesia,” Teddy says.