Coordinating Minister Airlangga: Electric Vehicle Ecosystems Must Be Created In ASEAN

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

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the electric vehicle ecosystem must be created in ASEAN because a number of regional countries, including Indonesia, have the sources of raw materials for these future vehicles.

"The ecosystem must be in ASEAN. We are two EV manufacturers (Electric Vehicles / Electric Vehicles) in ASEAN, namely Thailand and Indonesia," said Airlangga after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, April 27, which discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Summit, as reported by Antara.

He explained that the electric vehicle industry is already owned by Thailand and Indonesia. In addition, only Indonesia has a source of electric vehicle battery production among ASEAN countries.

But only Indonesia has a battery. Now from that ecosystem we will build. And who has more raw materials outside Indonesia, the Philippines is there too. So we will build this together," he said.

Therefore, Indonesia will encourage the creation of an electric vehicle ecosystem with ASEAN countries at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, NTT.

In addition to the electric vehicle ecosystem, said Airlangga, Indonesia will also encourage the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which includes the implementation of payment system electronification through QRIS between ASEAN countries.

Currently, a cross-border QRIS pilot project has been established in five ASEAN countries and has had an impact on decreasing dependence on the US dollar.

"This is gradual. Abis 5 right, only ASEAN (there are) 10. Now only ASEAN 8 (state) are present because Thailand has a close election, mid-14 May if I'm not mistaken. Then Myanmar is still not invited," said Airlangga.

The peak of the ASEAN Summit will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, May 10-11, 2023. Various preparations for the venue for the event have been made by the Indonesian government as the holder of the 2023 ASEAN Chairship.