President Jokowi Pushes for Accelerated Development of EV Battery Ecosystem

Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered for the acceleration of investment realization in electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem development in Bantaeng Green Industrial Region, South Sulawesi province and West Papua province.

Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia made the statement following a meeting led by the President at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday (05/31).

“We were ordered to accelerate [investment realization] because investments are needed for development in the green energy industrial region. It will use wind energy in Sulawesi, in Bantaeng, and we will carry it out immediately. As for the nickel mine in Papua, the process is currently ongoing,” he said.

Bahlil underscored that the acceleration of investment, which involves a consortium from the United Kingdom and Indonesian state-owned enterprises, must comply with the prevailing mechanism and legislation.

“The acceleration that the President referred to is the acceleration of every administration process in accordance with the law,” he said.

Bahlil pointed out that the investment plan is worth US$9 billion and involves several companies, including Glencore from Switzerland, Envision from the UK, and Umicore from Belgium.

“Glencore from Switzerland, Envision from the UK, and Umicore from Belgium. They are in cooperation with [state-owned mining company] Antam and Indonesian businesspeople. The investment value is approximately USD9 billion,” he said while expressing hope that the cooperation will generate EV batteries that can meet domestic and international demands, especially in Europe.

“Export for Europe because the UK will make it a hub for Europe,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (DH/MUR)