VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia should become the world's largest battery producer, with the government's plan to develop an electric vehicle environment in the country, Investment Minister, concurrently Coordinating Board of Investment (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia stated.

"I think it is time for Indonesia to become the world's largest player. It should not only be known for its Bali but also as an industrialized country that produces battery for electric vehicles," Lahadalia noted during a webinar on the prospects of the national battery industry here on Thursday.

The BKPM head noted that Indonesia was known for its natural resource wealth, including wood, gold, fish, and coal, but it did not offer added value to the country, as several of them are exported in raw material form.

Lahadalia pointed out that 25 percent of the world's nickel reserves were found in Indonesia, and it should be used for the development of batteries, the main component of electric vehicles.

The raw materials to produce battery for electric vehicles are nickel, manganese, and cobalt that are available in Indonesia.

"In Europe, by 2030, 70 percent of the vehicles in the region will have switched from fossil fuel to renewable energy. It will also be the case in some Asian and Latin America nations, including Indonesia," he stated.

The government has outlined some comprehensive measures to encourage investors to invest in Indonesia, he noted.

In its first move, the government has banned the exports of nickel ore since the end of October 2019.

The government has also offered various incentives, comprising tax holiday and the simplification of machinery import license to attract investors. (Antaranews)