Prabowo links free meal program, jobs to 8 percent growth target

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia aims to optimize its Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and attract more investment to achieve the government's 8 percent economic growth target.

He made the remarks during a dialogue session with Forbes magazine Chairman Steve Forbes before 400 global business leaders and investors at the Forbes CEO Conference 2025 in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Prabowo said the growth target is "practically within reach," stressing that the MBG program has contributed to economic expansion beyond improving public health and nutrition.

He explained that the program has directly created about 1.5 million jobs and boosted local economies. Economists estimate the employment effect adds roughly three percentage points to Indonesia's current 5.12 percent growth rate.

Since its launch in January 2025, the MBG program has led to the establishment of thousands of kitchens nationwide, each employing around 50 workers and engaging at least 15 local suppliers daily.

Each supplier, Prabowo added, may also employ up to 15 workers.

When asked about foreign investment prospects, he highlighted Indonesia's strong economic fundamentals and abundant natural resources, noting its position as the world's largest nickel producer with significant reserves of bauxite, copper, and other strategic minerals.

He also cited the country's oil and gas potential, expressing confidence that advanced technology could boost output from some 40,000 old or idle wells and gas fields.

Prabowo reaffirmed his optimism that Indonesia could sustain growth above 5 percent despite global challenges and uncertainty that have slowed expansion in other economies.