President Jokowi Expresses Appreciation for Finalized Downstreaming Road Map

President Jokowi has a meeting with Minister of Investment/Head of Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia along with his ranks, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (01/30). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his appreciation to the ranks for having finalized the road map of strategic investment downstreaming in order to encourage economic transformation.

Minister of Investment/Head of  Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia in his statement said that the road map has been finalized with a total investment up to USD545.3 billion until 2040.

“Alhamdulillah, we have accomplished the task, and we have reported that there are 8 divisions of 21 commodities of the downstreaming map. Hence, we have been discussing about the dowstreaming, but the road map was not ready yet, and alhamdulillah we have reported the total investment is up to USD545.3 billion until 2040,” Bahlil explained after having a meeting with President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, in Jakarta, on Monday (01/30).

Bahlil added that technically, the nickel downstreaming prototype will also serve as a reference for other sectors. With such downstreaming, according to Bahlil, Indonesia will really focus on elevating added value.

“We have also discussed the technical stages, and we have started it well with nickel. So, the nickel downstreaming prototype will also serve as a reference for other sectors, such as tin, bauxite, oil and gas, and copper. Not only in those sectors, but also in the sectors of farming, food, and fisheries,” Bahlil further explained.

Subsequently, President Jokowi ordered Minister of Investment to set the priority scale in downstreaming process and the following targets.

“Bapak President has ordered me as the Minister of Investment to set the priority scale for the things we have to do now. Let say we stop exporting nickel [ore] and then bauxite ore, so what is next? Tin or copper will be following soon. Therefore, this is what we are going to do,” Bahlil said.

Moreover, Bahlil emphasized that the downstreaming is one of important things to do to speed up the economic growth, especially in becoming an advanced country.

“Remember, the countries with natural resources that conduct downstreaming will be different from those that do not. Those that conduct downstreaming will experience economic growth and become advanced countries faster than those that do not conduct downstreaming,” Bahlil remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AW/HD/MUR)