President Encourages Acceleration of Electric Battery Ecosystem Development

INDUSTRY.co.id - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) encourages the acceleration of investment realization for the development of the electric car battery ecosystem which will be carried out in the Bantaeng Green Industrial Zone, South Sulawesi and West Papua.

This was stated by the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia after attending a meeting chaired by President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (31/05/2023).

"Earlier the directive was that we would accelerate because this investment would be built in a  green energy industrial area , would use wind power in Sulawesi, in Bantaeng, and we will do this soon. Then also the nickel mine is from Papua and the process is now running," said Bahlil.

Bahlil emphasized that accelerating investment involving a consortium from the UK and state-owned enterprises (BUMN) in the country must be in accordance with the mechanisms and regulations in force.

"The point is that it must go through a mechanism and be accelerated in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The acceleration referred to by the President is that everything administrative processes are in accordance with the rules that can be expedited, expedited," he explained.

The Minister of Investment detailed that the planned investment from England worth around US$9 billion involves several companies, including Glencore from Switzerland, Envision from England, and Umicore from Belgium.

“Glencore from Switzerland, then Envision from England, then Umicore from Belgium, then worked together with Antam and national entrepreneurs in Indonesia. The investment is approximately USD 9 billion ,” he said.

Through this collaboration with the UK, Bahlil hopes that the electric batteries produced will be able to meet domestic and foreign needs, especially Europe.

“Exports for Europe. This is because England will make it a hub for Europe," he said. (TGH/UN)