Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hopes That The Presidential Decree On The Establishment Of A Downstreaming Task Force Will Be Ratified This Month

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto hopes that the Presidential Decree (Keppres) related to the formation of the Downstream Task Force can be completed and ratified in December 2024.

"We are also deepening this (Keppres), it is being discussed across ministries, it is hoped that in December the regulations can be completed," said Airlangga when met after the Indonesia Mining Summit 2024 event in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, December 4.

Later, the Downstream Task Force will focus on 36 commodities.

"A total of 36 commodities, because from the industry there are many, including in agriculture as well, pharmaceuticals too," explained Airlangga.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the formation of the Downstream Task Force aims to integrate permits so as to accelerate the increase in added value of the sector set.

"Mr. President is very focused on downstreaming, so it is deemed necessary to make a task force, and now the process is running again, this task force involves technical ministries," said Minister Bahlil.

Bahlil explained that in the task force, he was mandated as the Head of the Downstream Task Force to coordinate acceleration at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming / Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM), Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Industry.

"Everyone will join there to do their work so that it can be fast. Because if they are alone, they will have permits and all kinds of things will take a long time, and the President wants to be fast. So we make a task force," said Bahlil.

According to him, the implementation of this task force is just waiting for the ratification of the Presidential Decree (Keppres) regarding the formation of the Downstream Task Force.

"The Presidential Decree is now in the process, we are waiting for the technical direction from Mr. President Prabowo," he said.

Furthermore, Bahlil explained that the reason the President formed the task force was because licensing in sectors related to downstreaming was still difficult to obtain.

As is the case in the mining sector where mining business permits (IUP) are easy to obtain, but for Borrowing and Using Forest Areas (IPPKH), an Environmental Impact Analysis Permit (Amdal), and a Budget Work Plan (RKAB) are difficult to obtain.

President Prabowo in his Astacita emphasized to continue downstreaming and industrialization based on natural resources (SDA), including around maritime to open the widest possible employment opportunities so as to realize economic justice.