Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Inauguration of Sawerigading Wallacea Biodiversity Park, East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province, March 30, 2023

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,
May prosperity be upon us all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I warmly welcome the cooperation agreement signed by the four countries, including Indonesia with state-owned mining holding company MIND ID as a shareholder in PT Vale, Brazil –since PT Vale is a Brazilian company–, there are also China, and the United States.

Thus, there will be a four-country cooperation in East Luwu regency, South Sulawesi province.

We hope the cooperation will contribute to Gross Regional Domestic Product in the province and the regency, bring an impact on the community’s welfare. That is what we hope.

Since this is a cooperation between the world’s giant companies such as US-based carmaker Ford and China’s Huayou in the miscellaneous industry, we hope the economic effect on the province and the country will provide improved economic growth.

Why are they interested in entering Indonesia? We need to remember that our country is one of the world’s largest nickel reserves. We own 25 percent of nickel reserves. That is our strength. We do not want the supply to run out due to raw material exports for years. That is why we banned the exports in 2020. Exporting them in the form of raw materials has been no longer allowed. Instead, we must export them in the form of semi-finished or finished goods.

Second, I appreciate environmental preservation carried out by PT Vale for reclaiming and rehabilitating the land after mining activities. I have seen on the ground that the company has carried out the mining land preservation measures quite well so it could protect the environment against destruction, especially in East Luwu regency and South Sulawesi province.

I also checked the way they prepare seeds to rehabilitate and reclaim ex-mining lands. It is impressive. I will immediately order all mining companies across the country to use the project as an example.

I saw everything, including the seeds and arboretums. Educating the children about the importance of the environment is also crucial as our children and grandchildren will also use mines in perhaps other forms of mining.

That concludes my remarks.

And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I officially inaugurate the Sawerigading Wallacea Biodiversity Park in East Luwu.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

(RIF/EP)