REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has met the top Chinese electric car manufacturer, BYD, at Jakarta State Palace, the Istana Merdeka, Friday (27/10/2023). Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Ad Interim Erick Thohir accompanied Joko Widodo reveals the discussion.

Erick said, the two party Jokowi and BYD officials are exploring opportunities for cooperation in the development of electric vehicles. As Indonesia has tremendous natural resources, more than enough to be the global key player of electric vehicles ecosystem.

“BYD as the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturing company sees Indonesia's great potential and is interested in exploring cooperation to develop the ecosystem of electric vehicles and green energy industries in the country,” Erick explain.

Erick who also serves as Minister of SOEs has shown commitment him self in supporting the acceleration of the electric vehicle industry. He managed to launch regulation, the circular Number S-565/MBU/09/2022 as of September 12, 2022 on the support of battery-based electric motor vehicle acceleration programs for public transportation.

BYD, that has made 1.8 million electric vehicles, they will push to three million production. 

"Their technology is different again, there is lithium and ion for which we don't have data, those materials," said Erick, while attending The Asian Creative & Digital Economy Youth Summit (ACE-YS) at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, Saturday (28/10/2023).

However, continued Erick, Indonesia has nickel, cobalt and manganese which is well known for superior durability in four season countries. Erick believes the Chinese manufacturer was very interested in investing in Indonesia.

"(At yesterday's meeting), one of the things we could do was become a center for the production of right-hand drive electric cars, because our population is quite large," said Erick.

Erick emphasized that cooperation in developing the electric vehicle industry must also provide added value for Indonesia, both in terms of economic growth and job creation. Erick is optimistic that this big will happen considering BYD's fairly large investment plans.

"Yes, it has to be mutually beneficial because we need what is called job creation for the community. As for the investment value, BYD has to do the talking," said Erick.

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