Indonesia, US Air Products Committed to Implementing Investment Plan

President Jokowi receives a courtesy call from Chairman and CEO of Air Products Seifi Ghasemi at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington DC, Thursday (05/12). (Photo: BPMI/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received a courtesy call from Chairman and CEO of Air Products Seifi Ghasemi at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington DC, Thursday (05/12).

During the meeting, the President emphasized the importance of implementing the investment plan of the American multinational industrial gases and chemicals manufacturer.

“I welcome the signing of the MoU in Dubai, last November 2021. As an implementation of the plan, on January 24, I conducted a groundbreaking for the downstream coal to DME industry in Bukit Asam (South Sumatra province). I hope that all of these investment plans can be followed up immediately,” said President Jokowi.

Meanwhile, Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia after the meeting said that from Air Products’ investment plan of US$15 billion, currently the first phase of US$7 billion has been realized.

“There are DME and methanol projects in Balongan (West Java province). We also want to build methanol [industry] in Cepu (Central Java province). The remaining investment will be allocated to establish hydrogen industry which will be built in our country by utilizing state-owned dams,” said Bahlil.

He went on to say that from the results of the discussion between the President and the CEO of Air Products, there was also a plan to develop an industry from upstream to downstream in the petrochemical sector.

“Now it is the Indonesian Government’s turn to execute it immediately since both the money and the project are already available. I think today’s meeting shows that such investment is not only controlled by a certain country but has been evenly distributed,” said Bahlil. (BPMI/UN) (EST/MMB)