Jokowi Asks For Groundbreaking Of EV Battery Factory In Bantaeng, South Sulawesi In September

The Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia gave a press statement after a meeting chaired by President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (31/5/2023). (ANTARA/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked to accelerate the realization of foreign and domestic investments to create an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the green industrial area in Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, with the target of laying the first stone for construction or groundbreaking in September 2023.

"The direction is that we will accelerate it because this investment will be built in a green energy industrial area, we will use wind power in Sulawesi, in Bantaeng," said the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahil Lahadalia after a meeting chaired by President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 31.

Bahlil said foreign investment in electric car batteries came from British investors, who collaborated with companies from Belgium, then BUMN in Indonesia, and also from Switzerland.

In addition to the industrial area for electric car batteries in Bantaeng, said Bahlil, the government also wants to accelerate the realization of nickel mining investment in Papua.

Despite wanting acceleration, Bahlil said, the President asked all investment mechanisms to be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"So don't be slow just by continuing to study. This country has studied too much until our principle, the President's direction clearly asks for the acceleration in September to be completed. It must be finished and must have started groundbreaking at its location and everything is clear," he said.

The investment value for electric car batteries in Bantaeng, said Bahlil, reached 9 billion US dollars, with production in the form of cell batteries to meet domestic and export demand.

The first stage (production) is approximately 20 Giga for cell batteries. In the future, domestic demand will definitely be increased as well as for exports. Exports for Europe. This is England, he will be the hub for Europe," said Bahlil.