President Jokowi holds meeting with leaders of European companies

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a business meeting with the leaders of three European companies at Kastens Luisenhof Hotel in Hannover, Germany, on Sunday, during his visit to the country.

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, in his statement, Monday, after accompanying the president, stated that the three European companies–BASF, Eramet, and Volkswagen through PowerCo–had expressed their interest in investing in Indonesia to the president.

BASF directly expressed its interest in investing in North Maluku to Jokowi for the development of a car battery ecosystem, with an investment value of around US$2.6 billion.

BASF will collaborate with the French company Eramet to develop a car battery ecosystem by implementing business practices that consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, as well as using green energy.

“The construction process will begin at the end of 2023,” Lahadalia stated.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen, through PowerCo, also expressed its eagerness to develop the car battery ecosystem in Indonesia through a cooperation scheme with several companies, including national corporations.

Lahadalia regarded this as the right opportunity to demonstrate Indonesia’s openness to provide investment opportunities to companies across the world.

“This is a form of inclusive investment and a way to correct the people’s mindset that mining management in Indonesia does not consider international standards,” he remarked.

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana arrived at Hannover Airport, Hannover, Germany, on Saturday evening local time to attend the manufacturing industry fair Hannover Messe 2023.

The visit was also undertaken to attend a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The president and the first lady are scheduled to return to Jakarta on April 18, 2023.