Jakarta. Abu Dhabi becomes President Prabowo Subianto’s next stop in his days-long overseas trip, as the Indonesian leader wishes to hold diplomatic talks with his Emirati counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ).

The Indonesian government reported that Prabowo had landed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday local time, marking Prabowo’s fourth arrival in the city since becoming president. 

“The visit marks both states’ efforts in strengthening their strategic partnership. It reaffirms the president’s commitment to expand its network of mutually beneficial partnerships,” an Instagram post by the president’s official account reads.

The meeting is taking place amidst burgeoning trade, as bilateral export-import activities grew from $5.1 billion in 2024 to $6.4 billion the following year. Both countries have slashed their import duties as part of a free trade agreement that has been in effect since 2023.

In the investment space, Emirati firms have backed several of Indonesia’s ambitious projects, including how energy giant Masdar has built ASEAN’s largest floating plant in West Java. The facility boasts 145 megawatts or 192 megawatt-peak in capacity. Less than a week ago, the Abu Dhabi-based New Energy Metals teamed up with Indonesia’s Perminas on rare earth value chain development that even extends to Gabon.

Indonesia reported to have attracted $169.7 million in Emirati investment inflows throughout 2025, putting the UAE as the country’s 22nd-largest foreign investor that year.

Prabowo has been out of the country since Feb. 16. He initially departed for Washington to attend the Board of Peace’s inaugural meeting. MBZ sent his foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the meeting where he unveiled the UAE’s $1.2 billion pledge to the board. Prabowo later stopped by London to witness a chip design human capital development deal before flying to Jordan to see King Abdullah II. Since assuming power in October 2024, the retired army general has been traveling overseas a lot for a more personal diplomatic touch with his peers.