Invite Several Australian Company Heads To Develop The Indonesian Electric Vehicle Ecosystem, Minister Of Investment: The Land Of Kangaroo Producers Of The Largest Lithium

Photo: Doc. Ministry of Investment/BKPM

JAKARTA - Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia invited a number of CEOs of companies from Australia to collaborate in encouraging downstreaming and new and renewable energy (EBT) to support the development of the electric battery industry ecosystem in Indonesia.

Bahlil conveyed the invitation at a meeting held on Sunday, November 13 in Nusa Dua, Bali, where he revealed that Indonesia and Australia both have strength in the mining sector, which is included in the world's largest producing countries for several commodities such as nickel.

According to him, Indonesia and Australia can work together to develop an ecosystem of the electric vehicle industry in Indonesia, considering that the Kangaroo country is the world's largest lithium producer.

"Indonesia has a large market in the electric vehicle industry with large global players who have invested, such as LG, Foxconn, CATL. This is a great opportunity that can be explored between Indonesia and Australia with the concept of mutual benefit in order to improve the economy of the two countries," he said in a statement quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 16.

Bahlil also reiterated that Indonesia is currently focusing on the downstream industry, so it does not require investment in the mining sector.

He also conveyed the many investment opportunities in the infrastructure sector, especially in the development of the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan.

During the meeting, New South Wales Senior Commissioner Andrew Parker revealed that the lack of information regarding investment opportunities in Indonesia was a challenge in encouraging Australia's investment in Indonesia.

"Australian businessmen feel a lack of information about investment projects that are ready to be offered in Indonesia, such as the mining sector, infrastructure, tourism, and the waste treatment industry," said Andrew.

The Ministry of Investment/BKPM noted that the realization of investment from Australia in the third quarter of 2022 was US$0.2 billion and was ranked 10th. Cumulatively from 2017-September 2022, the realization of Australian investment reached US$2.37 billion.