Indonesia Launches 11 Downstreaming Projects Worth US$10.2 Billion
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday officially launched 11 downstreaming projects with a combined investment value of US$10.2 billion at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Central Halmahera, North Maluku.
The ceremony also marked Indonesia’s first export shipment of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic processing industries and increase the economic value generated from the country’s abundant natural resources.
Addressing the ceremony, President Prabowo stressed that Indonesia’s vast natural wealth must be managed effectively and responsibly so that it directly contributes to public welfare and national economic prosperity.
He said responsible resource management remained a key element of Indonesia’s industrialization strategy, emphasizing the importance of developing domestic processing industries to ensure that the added value of raw mineral resources remains within the country.
“God Almighty has bestowed upon us the gift of immense and highly valuable natural wealth. However, we must manage this wealth effectively so that it can generate welfare and prosperity for our people and nation,” Prabowo said in remarks broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.
The President described nation-building as a long and continuous struggle, expressing appreciation for previous administrations whose development initiatives had laid the foundation for the country’s current industrial achievements.
“Nation-building is a struggle and a long journey. Nation-building is a long march,” he said.
Alongside promoting industrial and economic expansion, Prabowo called on industrial operators to maintain strict environmental standards, particularly regarding air quality, water safety and waste management.
He stressed that industrial development must be pursued with responsibility toward future generations.
“We face the future with a full sense of responsibility for our children and grandchildren,” the President said.
The launch ceremony featured the sounding of an industrial siren by President Prabowo, who was accompanied by senior government officials, including National Economic Council Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani.
Four major industrial operations officially commenced their commercial phases during the ceremony: Blue Sparking Energy, REPT Battero Indonesia, Pioneer Aluminium Industries and XCMG Indonesia Manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the President also officiated the groundbreaking of seven additional industrial facilities: Guangqing Nickel Cobalt, Eno Prima Material, Tinci Materials Indonesia, Weda Bay Aluminium, Bintang Karya Aluminium, Flat Solar Energy Indonesia and Guangqing Motor Indonesia.
The projects represent a significant step in Indonesia’s downstreaming policy, which seeks to ensure that mineral resources, including nickel and aluminum, are processed domestically instead of being exported as raw materials.
The policy is aimed at retaining greater economic value within Indonesia, strengthening domestic industries, creating employment opportunities and accelerating the country’s transition toward higher-value manufacturing and industrial production.
