Indonesia Offers Investment Opportunities to Elon Musk in Space
Nusa Dua, The Gulf Observer: Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has revealed Indonesia’s strategic investment opportunities offered to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, focusing on a rocket launch pad and lithium battery production.
During the 10th World Water Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, Minister Pandjaitan disclosed details of the high-level meeting held with President Joko Widodo. “During the meeting with President Joko Widodo, they discussed the possibility of a rocket launch pad in Biak,” he stated on the forum’s sidelines on Tuesday.
Pandjaitan mentioned that Musk has ambitious plans to launch 150 rockets annually, with Biak being considered a potential site. Additionally, Musk is exploring the potential for natural gas in Biak, which is anticipated to support these investments.
Further, President Widodo extended an invitation to invest in lithium batteries and their derivatives. “I think it is a very good step to cut the gap between Indonesia and the United States in the electric vehicles (EV) sector,” Pandjaitan remarked. This proposal aligns with the US government’s strategy to amplify EV production by up to eleven times by 2030.
“Without Indonesian nickel assistance, this could never be achieved. We want to collaborate,” he added, emphasizing Indonesia’s critical role in the global EV supply chain.
The presence of Musk was a highlight at the 10th World Water Forum. He was invited as a speaker at the opening ceremony and undertook a visit to Bali to officially launch Starlink, his satellite internet service, to aid community health centers in remote areas facing internet connectivity issues.
“I was invited to the World Water Forum. Hence, this seems like the right time to officially announce the launch of Starlink as well,” Musk stated during a media interaction on May 19.
On the same day, Musk and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin inaugurated the Starlink trial at the Sumerta Kelod Community Health Center in Denpasar. This initiative aims to provide better internet access at health centers, enhancing health services and facilitating real-time communication and case reporting across regions.
