Prabowo Courts US Investors With $38 Billion Deal Push in Washington

WASHINGTON, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto invited American executives to invest in Indonesia on Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 in Washington, as he sought to deepen bilateral economic ties through a proposed reciprocal trade agreement and oversaw the signing of 11 business MoUs worth US$ 38.4 billion, equal to around Rp 650 trillion, moves aimed at accelerating industrialization and boosting investor confidence.

The outreach took place at the Indonesia-US Business Summit hosted at the US Chamber of Commerce, where Prabowo addressed members of the US Chamber, the US-ASEAN Business Council, the US-Indonesia Society, and executives from both countries.

"We hope to find partners who are ready to join us in a sustained effort to modernize and industrialize my country," Prabowo said.

He told the room that Indonesia was looking for serious, long-term collaborators to build shared prosperity. "I believe I have demonstrated that the Indonesian government and I personally always strive to protect our investors, to be a good host, and to create the best possible atmosphere for investors," he said.

Prabowo described the United States as Indonesia's strongest partner and urged a larger American economic presence. "So, we hope for a stronger American presence in our economy," he said.

$38 Billion in Deals and a Trade Pact Signal

During the summit, Prabowo witnessed the signing of 11 memorandums of understanding between Indonesian and US companies valued at US$ 38.4 billion.

The agreements covered critical minerals cooperation between Freeport-McMoRan and Danantara, oilfield recovery between Pertamina and Halliburton, as well as partnerships in agriculture, textiles, furniture, and semiconductors.

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Prabowo said an upcoming reciprocal trade agreement with US President Donald Trump would send a strong signal to markets.

"I believe this is an agreement of great significance for our businesses and investors, both in our two countries and in the broader Pacific region," he said.

He added that the deal would deepen market access and provide greater certainty for companies.

"This sends a clear signal that Indonesia and the United States choose to continue and deepen economic cooperation, stronger market access, and greater certainty for the business community," he said.

Reform Message: Clean Government and Fiscal Discipline

In his remarks, Prabowo acknowledged long-standing governance weaknesses, including corruption and illegal economic activities.

"We have weaknesses. We have problems in governance, corruption, and weak institutional performance. There is smuggling and illegal economic activity such as illegal mining, illegal fishing, and corporations operating plantations in protected forests. These are old problems, but I choose to confront them directly," he said.

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He vowed not to surrender state authority to illegal cartels that drain public revenue.

Prabowo also highlighted fiscal tightening measures implemented during his first three months in office, claiming US$ 18 billion in budget savings from cutting non-productive spending and ceremonial activities.

"I believe I am one of the few Indonesian presidents who in the first three months of my administration managed to save US$ 18 billion in cash," he said.

He described cancelling excessive government anniversary celebrations and trimming overseas study tours as part of a broader rationalization drive.

"As someone who was once a foreign investor in this country, no one wants to enter an economy full of uncertainty or without trust in legal processes and law enforcement. This is one of the most important things," he said.

Diplomacy Beyond Economics

Prabowo said his Washington trip also fulfilled an invitation from President Trump to attend the first meeting of the Board of Peace, formed to oversee the implementation of a Gaza ceasefire.

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"This is the first official meeting of the council formed to handle the implementation and sustainability of the ceasefire in Gaza. We are working to continue paving the way toward a real and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue," he said.

By linking trade diplomacy with peace initiatives, Prabowo sought to project Indonesia as both an emerging industrial power and a responsible global actor.

For US executives weighing long-term bets in Southeast Asia, the message from Washington was clear: Indonesia is open for business, and its president wants to anchor that openness in fiscal discipline, legal certainty, and large-scale industrial partnerships.