Stop Export Ore Bauxite, Minister Of Trade Zulhas: Indonesia Ready To Face More WTO Lawsuits

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan said Indonesia was prepared to face a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization or WTO following the decision to ban the export of bauxite ore in June 2023.

"It's okay to be sued (at the WTO) again. It's okay. If there is, that's okay too. We've had experience like nickel," he told reporters quoted on Tuesday, January 3.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that the ban on bauxite exports was intended so that Indonesia could increase the value of natural resources (SDA) owned through exports of finished goods.

So, continued Zulhas, Indonesia will also become a country that exports electric vehicle batteries, both cars and motorbikes. Zulhas believes this step will bring Indonesia to become a developed country in the future.

"Imagine the entire battery industry relying on car and motorcycle batteries here. So we can and want to become a developed country, there is hope," he explained.

Previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced that Indonesia would stop exporting bauxite ore starting June 2023 to encourage the domestic processing industry.

"Starting June 2023, the government will impose a ban on the export of bauxite ore and encourage the domestic bauxite processing and refining industry," said President Joko Widodo, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 21.

President Jokowi conveyed this accompanied by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif.

"I repeat, starting June 2023 the government will impose a ban on the export of bauxite ore and encourage the domestic bauxite processing and refining industry," said the President.