Antara News·Indonesia·Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 08:29 AM UTC

Prabowo launches US$10.2 billion downstreaming projects in N. Maluku

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Fathur Rochman, Yashinta Difa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto officially launched 11 downstreaming projects representing a total investment value of US$10.2 billion within the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Central Halmahera, North Maluku, on Thursday.

During a ceremony which also marks Indonesia’s first export shipment of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the President emphasized that the country’s vast natural resources must be managed effectively and responsibly to ensure they directly support public welfare and economic prosperity.

He stressed that resource management remains central to the nation's industrialization drive.

"God Almighty has bestowed upon us the gift of immense and highly valuable natural wealth. However, we must manage this wealth effectively so that it can generate welfare and prosperity for our people and nation," President Prabowo said in remarks broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.

Prabowo highlighted that building domestic processing industries ensures the added value generated from raw mineral wealth stays within the country.

Describing nation-building as a "long march," the Head of State expressed gratitude to previous administrations, noting that current achievements stem from developmental steps laid by past leaders.

"Nation-building is a struggle and a long journey. Nation-building is a long march," Prabowo stated.

Alongside economic expansion, Prabowo issued a firm directive on environmental stewardship, urging industrial operators to uphold strict safeguards for air quality, water safety, and waste management.

"We face the future with a full sense of responsibility for our children and grandchildren," Prabowo emphasized.

The launch ceremony featured the sounding of an industrial siren by President Prabowo, who was accompanied by high-ranking cabinet officials, including National Economic Council Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani.

Four key operations officially entered their commercial phase during the event include Blue Sparking Energy, REPT Battero Indonesia, Pioneer Aluminium Industries, and XCMG Indonesia Manufacturing.

In addition, the President officiated the groundbreaking for seven upcoming industrial facilities: Guangqing Nickel Cobalt, Eno Prima Material, Tinci Materials Indonesia, Weda Bay Aluminium, Bintang Karya Aluminium, Flat Solar Energy Indonesia, and Guangqing Motor Indonesia.

The projects launched at the mega-industrial site represent a major push in Indonesia’s downstreaming strategy, which mandates that raw mineral resources like nickel and aluminum be processed domestically rather than exported as raw ores—capturing higher economic value within the country.

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