HKI Says Universities Involved in Industrialization to Boost Investment

Industrial processing (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Industrial Estate Association (HKI) considers the involvement of universities in national downstream projects to be an important factor in increasing the attractiveness of strategic investment in the country.

HKI Chairman Akhmad Ma'ruf Maulana stated that the synergy between the education, industry, and government worlds is considered capable of strengthening investor confidence while ensuring that the downstream project provides sustainable added value for the national economy.

The assessment was conveyed following the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to the rectors and leaders of higher education institutions which emphasized the importance of the role of higher education in supporting strategic investments and downstream projects.

The directive, he continued, emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the national economic foundation.

Ma'ruf said that the President's emphasis on university support for 18 strategic downstream strategic projects managed by Danantara reflected the direction of policies that were increasingly integrated between human resource development, research, and investment.

"HKI sees the President's direction as a strong signal that the development of industry in the future must be based on human resources readiness, applied research, and innovation. This is very relevant to ensure that strategic investments really add value to the national economy," he said, quoting Antara.

According to HKI, the involvement of universities through the coordination of curricula, strengthening applied research, and the creation of talent that meets the needs of the industry will increase certainty for investors.

In this context, Danantara plays a role in accelerating the financing and implementation of downstream projects, while industrial areas are the execution nodes that ensure projects run effectively through the availability of ready-to-build land, utilities, and an integrated business ecosystem.

His party assessed that the relationship between Danantara, industrial areas, and universities is complementary. Danantara strengthens the financing side and the portfolio of strategic projects, industrial areas ensure the readiness of locations, while universities support the sustainability of investments through research, innovation, and the provision of superior human resources.

Ma'ruf emphasized that the success of strategic downstream projects will create a wide economic impact.

"When investment grows, the economy grows. Jobs are created. At the same time, the national industrial ecosystem will become stronger and more competitive," he said.

In order to accelerate the realization of investment, HKI is also ready to strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Investment and Industrialization/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), ranging from the readiness of industrial areas, licensing facilitation, to escorting debottlenecking issues that investors often face.

In terms of strengthening human resources and research, HKI emphasized its commitment to bridging the needs of the industry with the world of higher education. This commitment was previously outlined in a memorandum of understanding on the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) 2025 which focuses on the alignment of curricula, applied research, and support for the industrial downstream agenda.

"HKI is ready to actively participate in following up on the President's directions. Industrial areas can become a real laboratory for applied research, talent development, and the absorption of college graduates that match the needs of the future industry," said Maruf.

HKI hopes that the synergy between the government, Danantara, universities, and industrial park actors can run consistently and measurably, so that the downstream agenda not only attracts short-term investment, but also strengthens the national industrial structure sustainably.

President Prabowo Subianto explained the energy, downstream, and economic and national resilience situation to the rectors and professors of public and private universities in a dialogue meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (15/1).

"Earlier the President explained to all leaders of public and private universities. I happened to accompany, the President explained about the condition of our country, the economic condition, food sovereignty, including discussing about downstreaming and energy yes," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia after attending the meeting.

According to Bahlil, the meeting became a communication space between the President and the professors and leaders of universities in order to convey views regarding the implementation of the state and the challenges faced by Indonesia.