HumasUPNVJ - Indonesia is a rich country, and sometimes we all forget that we are a big country. This was conveyed by Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto in a speech at the Introduction to New Student Campus Life (PKKMB) of the Jakarta "Veteran" National Development University at the Tennis Indoor Senayan Jakarta on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

Prabowo said that the size of the Indonesian nation was roughly the size of Western and Central Europe combined, with roughly the length of the territory stretching from London to Moscow.

"Our population is the fourth largest in the world, meaning we are the fourth largest economic market in the world," said Prabowo in front of more than 4,000 new UPN Veterans Jakarta students.

"Our geographic location is also strategic, between the two Pacific and Indian Oceans, and also two continents, Asia and Australia," he continued.

Indonesia's role with all its indicators, continued Prabowo, shows that Indonesia is the 16th largest economy in the world. As a result, Indonesia was included in the membership of the Group of 20 or G20.

According to estimates from a number of experts and institutions, Indonesia is predicted to rise to rank 10 or 9 in the G20 membership. The Global Index notes that Indonesia is projected to become the fourth largest economy in 2045.

"We will become the largest economy, even surpassing Germany, Japan, Britain, France and Russia," said Prabowo.

He said such a projection was based on Indonesia's increasing economic growth, with more optimal utilization of natural wealth for the benefit of society.

In Prabowo's eyes, Indonesia does have tremendous potential to be able to go far and jump into the top five of the world's economic giants.

"We want our country to progress, no longer to be a middle-income country, but a high-income advanced country. That is our goal," said Prabowo.

In order to realize this dream, Prabowo noted that there is one other important requirement besides the availability of natural resources. The requirement is harmony in society. "Indonesia must be in harmony, Indonesia must be united, all ethnic groups must be united, compact and help each other," concluded Prabowo.