History! Indonesia Exports Electric Vehicles to International Markets

PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) made history by conducting the first export of hybrid cars. Not only that, when it comes to electrification vehicles, TMMIN is also the first to export. Previously, cars exported by TMMIN and other manufacturers to foreign countries still carried conventional fuel. The Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix hybrid adds to the long list of Toyota cars ‘made’ in Indonesia that has penetrated foreign countries. The electrified car made in Karawang has finally penetrated the international market.
“Electrified vehicles are part of Toyota Indonesia’s export expansion target going forward, starting with exports of locally produced hybrid vehicles. Today, the first export shipment of hybrid vehicles of the Innova Zenix type was realized,” said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in his official statement.
For the first phase, the Kijang Innova Zenix ‘made’ in Karawang will penetrate the Middle East and South America. In 2023, TMMIN targets to export more than 8,000 Kijang Innova Zenix with a composition of 30% HEV type and 70% internal combustion engine (ICE) type to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It is hoped that Innova Zenix’s exports will continue to increase from year to year with a target of 17,000 units in 2025 for hybrid and conventional types.
“The first export of the Kijang Innova Zenix would not have been possible without the full support of the Government of Indonesia, strong partnerships from our entire supply chain including small and medium industries (IKM), and community support. Hopefully, we can contribute even more so that we can together grow and increase global competitiveness to meet the development of the Indonesian and global automotive industry,” said TMMIN President Director Warih Andang Tjahjono.
Jokowi appreciates that manufacturers can increase sales of cars and motorcycles in the country. However, according to Jokowi, the increase in sales has exacerbated the congestion. Reflecting on this fact, Jokowi encouraged car and motorcycle manufacturers in Indonesia to strengthen the national export market. Because, by doing so, sales will remain large, but will not have an impact on traffic jams.
“Therefore, the automotive industry will be encouraged to enter the export market. The export market will also add value to foreign exchange and continue to be driven by a large ecosystem from upstream to downstream for electric cars,” Jokowi said.

February 21, 2023, detikOto
(https://oto.detik.com/mobil/d-6580441/sejarah-ri-ekspor-kendaraan-listrik-kirim-innova-zenix-hybrid-ke-pasar-internasional)

Jokowi Sets a Record for Passing the Achievements of 5 Indonesian Presidents

The current account set a new record this year. For the first time in 42 years, Indonesia’s current account recorded a surplus of US$ 13.22 billion. When compared with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the current account this year is equivalent to 1% of GDP. This record is the best since 2009 (1.97% of GDP). In the fourth quarter of 2022, the current account touched US$ 4.27 billion or 1.3% of GDP.
The impressive record for the current account was supported by a surge in exports. The Russo-Ukrainian war that erupted almost a year ago soared energy and food commodity prices. Indonesia also has a windfall due to the soaring prices of coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and nickel. Exports of goods were recorded at US$ 292.55 billion in 2022 while imports were recorded at US$ 229.87 billion. Thus, the goods export-import balance recorded a surplus of US$ 62.68 billion. The amount of this export makes the current account balance fattening.
The current account remained swollen even though the service import-export balance recorded a large deficit of US$ 20.04 billion. This value has increased dramatically compared to 2021 which was recorded at US$ 14.6 billion. The big record in the current account also reaffirms Indonesia’s heavy dependence on commodities.
In Indonesia’s history, only four times has Indonesia been able to record a current account surplus of more than US$ 10 billion, namely in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2022. When compared to GDP, Indonesia’s current account also recorded a high surplus during the commodity boom (2005-2010). The current account in 2006 was recorded at 2.98% of GDP, in 2007 it was recorded at 2.43%, and in 2009 it was recorded at 1.97% of GDP.
These periods were the times when Indonesia experienced a windfall due to the commodity boom. Preferably, when commodities fall, the current account will fall or be in deficit. An example is from 2013-2019. The average current account has indeed penetrated 4.16% in the 1998-2003 period. However, the high current account is due more to the small imports. The uncertain economic situation after the collapse of the New Order and the beginning of the Reform Era meant that the pace of the economy was not moving fast enough and that imports slumped.

February 20, 2023, CNBC Indonesia
(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20230220154434-17-415335/soal-ini-jokowi-cetak-rekor-lewati-capaian-5-presiden-ri)

BRI’s profit rose 67% to IDR 51 trillion in 2022

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk. (BBRI) managed to record impressive performance in 2022 by scoring a profit of Rp 51.5 trillion. The profit was recorded at a height of 67.15% compared to the achievement of 2021. BRI President Director Sunarso said, one of which was not separated from the strategic response by the company. Cost of Fund efficiency is reflected in an increase in cheap funds or CASA which rose to 66.76% in 2022 from the previous year 63%.

“This incision is the success of various efficiency programs, especially the emphasis of cost of funds. This is what reduces the cost of funds to 1.87%,” he said, Wednesday (8/2/2023).

In 2022 the total BRI credit distribution reached Rp 1,139, 08 trillion, while third party funds (DPK) grew 14.85 percent to 1,307.88 trillion. BRI total assets reached Rp 1,865.64 trillion, up 11.18 percent. BRI recorded interest income of Rp 151.8 trillion, up 5.8 percent on an annual basis. Of this amount, BRI net interest income (Net Interest/NII) increased from Rp114.1 trillion in the previous year which was Rp124.6 trillion or an increase of 9.2 percent yoy. From the additional opinion of the clean premium, BRI has improved the increase in operational obstruction to Rp126.2 trillion.

Based on the company’s important ratio, BRI also recorded an impressive Bottom Line performance throughout 2022. Noted, the rate of return on assets (ROA) rose 104 basis points (BPS) to 3.76%. Then, the rate of return on equity (ROE) grows faster, which is 406 bps to 20.93%. ROE is a yield printed by the company for shareholders. ROE is determined by the company’s ability to produce profitability or profit margins, asset productivity to generate income, as well as managing the use of debt optimally by the company.

February 8, 2023, detikFinance

(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/02/06/indonesias-gdp-growth-reaches-decade-high.html)

Indonesia’s GDP Growth Reaches Nine-Year High

Indonesia’s economy grew last year at the fastest pace since 2013, marking the highest economic output since President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took office. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 5.31 percent in 2022, handily beating the preceding year’s 3.71 percent but failing to match the 2013 figure of 5.56 percent, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported on Monday. Economic output in the fourth quarter of last year increased by 5.01 percent from the equivalent period of 2021, much lower than the year-on-year (YoY) increase of 5.72 percent seen in the third quarter. The statistics agency attributed the slowdown to weaker purchasing power as a result of increased inflation in last year’s final quarter.

“Indonesia experienced solid economic growth in 2022,” BPS head Margo Yuwono told reporters in a press conference called to publish the latest GDP report.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund had expected Indonesia’s 2022 GDP growth to come in at 5.2 and 5.3 percent, respectively, while the Asian Development Bank had a bullish forecast of 5.4 percent. Household spending, long the backbone of the domestic economy, remains the main source of growth, contributing 2.61 percentage points (ppt) to the overall GDP growth rate.

This growth was driven by the improvement of community mobility along with the high rates of COVID-19 infections and removal of PPKM. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on valid prices reached Rp 5,114.0 trillion or based on constant 2010 prices reached Rp 2,988.6 trillion. Meanwhile, economic growth in the IV-2022 quarter was recorded at 5.01 percent or grew 0.36 percent.

The Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said that the Indonesian economy had returned to the Prapandemi level. This was supported by the purchasing power of the people last year which was well maintained and was also supported by the activities and mobility of the people who had recovered.

“The annual economic growth trend still grows 5% despite slowing down from the third quarter of 2022. This shows that the Indonesian economy grew solidly,” he said in a press conference on the BPS release, Monday (2/6/2023).

Indonesia’s economic growth is in accordance with the estimates of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi. The Head of State is optimistic that Indonesia’s economic growth in 2022 will reach 5.3% on an annual basis (year on year/yoy). The projection of Indonesia’s economic growth which reached 5.3% will place the Indonesian economy in the 1st rank among other G20 countries. For the record, the Indonesian economy grew 5.72 (yoy) in the third quarter of 2022 and 5.45% (yoy) in the second quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, the Indonesian market consensus of 12 institutions also estimated economic growth to reach 5.03% (yoy) and grew 0.49% compared to the previous quarter (Quarter to Quarter/QTQ).

February 6, 2023, The Jakarta Post, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/02/06/indonesias-gdp-growth-reaches-decade-high.html)

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230206104809-4-411262/breaking-news-ekonomi-ri-2022-tumbuh-531)

Indonesia Cooperated China Working on a Bridge Worth Rp 1 Trillion

The Chinese contractor will build a 700 meter long bridge in Pontianak. The construction of this bridge was initiated by a local company PT Kapuas Berkah Divine in collaboration with the Shanghai China State Construction Development Development Contractor. Director of Kapuas Berkah Divine Karsono said that this project would be worked on by the government’s cooperation scheme with a business entity alias PPP. The construction is claimed without using the APBN and APBD. He himself prepared an investment fund of up to Rp 1 trillion more to build a bridge that would be named the Garuda Bridge. The bridge connects Jalan Bardan and Siantan.

This bridge was built with a total stretch of 700 meters including the arrangement of the road on the land side, the main span itself along 365 meters. The width of the bridge will be made as long as 30 meters. In addition, this bridge is also claimed to have advantages in the form of hydroelectric power plant features. It will utilize the Kapuas River flow under the bridge to generate the electricity needed for the bridge. According to him, this was the first time done in Indonesia.

“The advantage is to use hydropower technology. Using a tidal water generating technology, this will be the first bridge with independent power in Indonesia, not using PLN electricity but river currents. For example for lights and so forth,” said Karsono.

The plan, this bridge is targeted to be ground breaking in March 2023. His party is still waiting for the Ministry of Public Works and Public Works’ recommendations to carry out development. If all according to plan, if in March the ground breaking can be carried out, it will carry out the construction of a bridge for 14 months.

“If March can already ground breaking, maybe in mid 2024, in June, the construction can be completed,” concluded Karsono.

Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono explained that this bridge was very much needed to support the accessibility of the Pontianak city center towards the northern region. So far, mobility still relies on a ferry that takes a long time.

February 2, 2023, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/infrastruktur/d-6547423/china-garap-jembatan-di-ri-nilainya-rp-1-t-ini-lokasinya)

History! Indonesia’s Coal Exports to the European Union Jumped 1,300%

The volume of value and exports of Indonesia’s coal to the European Union shot in 2022. The surge in exports was supported by high demand and price after the Russian-Ukraine war erupted. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that Indonesia’s coal export volume to the European Union touched 5, 85 million tons in January-December 2022. The volume jumped 1,373% compared to 2021 which only recorded 396,582 tons. In terms of value, Indonesia’s coal exports to the European Union broke through US $ 1,055 billion throughout 2022. This value shot 4.114% compared to 2021 which reached US $ 25,044 million.

Italy, Spain, Germany, to Poland are several countries that increase Indonesian coal ordering in very large numbers. Italy imported Indonesia’s coal worth US $ 418.14 million in January-December 2022. This achievement was extraordinary considering Italy was not recorded importing Indonesian coal in 2021. Meanwhile, based on BPS records until October 2022, the largest export volume of exports to the European Union is to Poland. The volume of coal exports to Poland reaches 1.9 million tons. The second order is Italy at 1.13 million tons and the Netherlands with 1.04 million tons.

Other European Union countries that recorded a large volume of exports in January-October were Slovenia (143 thousand tons), Switzerland (111 thousand tons), and Croatia (139 thousand tons). Except Slovenia, almost all European Union countries did not import Indonesia’s coal in 2021. Previously, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had estimated coal exports to Europe, including the European Union and Britain, would record a record in 2022. Exports to all European regions were estimated to reach 6.6 million tons. The previous biggest achievement was 6.2 million tons in 2012.

January 19, 2023, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20230119051620-17-406618/sejarah-ekspor-batu-bara-ri-ke-uni-eropa-melonjak-1300)

Luhut: Indonesia is Confident Does Not Import Fossil Fuels in 2045

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said Indonesia no longer imported fossil fuels in 2045. This he explained based on the research he had done. According to him, commodities that will replace or alternative fossil fuels are palm oil. Luhut said that in 2045, Indonesia could produce around 100 million tons of palm oil.

“We are researching about palm oil, because we believe that in 2045 we can produce around 100 million tons of palm oil. 30 percent will be directed to food and the remaining 70 percent, we can do research and we can make ethanol. So we don’t need to import Fossil oil at the time, “Luhut said in” Indonesia Zero Pathway: Opportunity & Challenges “held at the Indonesian Pavilion, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, quoted from Antara on Wednesday (1/18/2023).

Luhut explained, the development of alternative fuels was one of the five green economy pillars being intensified by Indonesia. He mentioned the other four pillars, namely the decarbonization of the electricity sector, low carbon transportation, one of which in the form of adoption of electric vehicles, green industries, and carbon sinks which included Carbon Capture and Carbon Offset Market. Luhut said the role of palm oil in the future would be very large. Especially in the acceleration of the achievement of net zero emission 2060 which will be encouraged by the transition of energy from fossil energy to renewable energy.

The Indonesian government is said to be a moratorium on oil palm plantation permits so that the level of productivity can increase from 2.3 tons per hectare to 8 to 10 tons per ha. The increase is the target in the next 10 to 15 years. The moratorium policy itself is also carried out to reduce deforestation due to the expansion of oil palm plantations. As the largest CPO and Biodiesel producer in the world, Indonesia has implemented a mandatory program for the use of CPO -based biodiesel since 2008. The mandatory program is carried out with the aim of reducing the import of fossil fuels, especially diesel fuel, increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing emissions from the use of fossil fuels .

“Indonesia has built collaboration with Malaysia, I think 74 percent will come from these two countries,” concluded Luhut.

January 18, 2023, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-6522932/luhut-pede-ri-tidak-impor-bahan-bakar-fosil-2045)

Indonesia’s Economy Speeds Up Again After the Pandemic, Sri Mulyani: 2022 Grows 5.3%

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that Indonesia’s economy is stepping on the gas again in 2022. According to her, economic recovery will occur very quickly in 2022 after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic raging throughout the country. Indonesia’s economic growth is experiencing acceleration momentum around the third quarter of 2022. He is confident that economic growth for the full year 2022 which will be announced later this month will be at the level of 5.2-5.3%. All economic indicators grew very well, starting from investment flows, increased commodity exports, to imports to support manufacturing industry production.
“Economic growth has recovered supported by strong momentum in the third quarter, fourth quarter will still be 5%, so that total economic growth in 2022 as stated by the President will be at 5.2-5.3%,” said Sri Mulyani in a virtual press statement after held a plenary meeting on the 2023 state budget, Monday (16/1/2023).
Several business sectors that had plummeted during the pandemic are now stepping on the gas for growth. For example, the transportation sector, which had contracted by up to 15%, has now returned to grow by 21%. There is also the accommodation and food and beverage sector which had contracted by up to 10%, now it has grown at the level of 11.3%.
Regionally all islands and regions in Indonesia, according to Sri Mulyani, have experienced rapid economic recovery in 2022. Sumatra grew 4.71%, Kalimantan grew 5.67%, Sulawesi grew 8.24%, Maluku grew 7.51%, Java grew 5.76%, and Bali and Nusa Tenggara 6.69%. It is this kind of thing that boosts the Indonesian economy to grow rapidly. In fact, Sri Mulyani said that Indonesia’s economy had grown bigger than before the pandemic.
“This is why Indonesia’s GDP level is 6.6% above pre-pandemic, above our achievements in 2019. This is a very good achievement,” said Sri Mulyani.

January 16, 2023, detikFinance
(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6518414/ekonomi-ri-ngegas-lagi-setelah-pandemi-sri-mulyani-2022-tumbuh-53.)

First in ASEAN, Indonesia Inaugurates Smoke-Free Tobacco Products Factory

PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna) inaugurated the production facility and first export release of innovative smoke-free tobacco products for IQOS under the HEETS brand in Karawang, West Java. This production facility is part of the company’s investment and economic value creation in Indonesia. The HEETS factory is the first Philip Morris International (PMI) production facility for innovative smoke-free tobacco products in Southeast Asia and the seventh in the world. Investment realization reached more than US$ 186 million or IDR 2.88 trillion (exchange rate IDR 15,500).
“The investment made by Sampoerna is expected to have a positive impact in encouraging innovation and creating economic value in many sectors, including the MSME sector, traditional retail, partnerships with farmers, and R&D development,” said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto marking the inauguration, Thursday ( 12/1/2023).
The production facility will start operating in the fourth quarter of 2022 and will be under construction since the end of 2021. The HEETS factory is focused on meeting the demand for the export market in Asia Pacific and domestically to encourage investment and increase exports of finished goods.
“As a company that has been operating in Indonesia for almost 110 years, we hope to continue to contribute to the Indonesian economy through sustainable investment and economic impact on the chain and ecosystem of the national tobacco industry as a whole,” said Sampoerna President Director Vassilis Gkatzelis.
Vassilis added, in addition to factory construction, Sampoerna is also committed to creating added economic value which includes increasing research capacity, absorbing high-skilled workers, purchasing local tobacco supplies, empowering MSMEs which includes supporting digitalization and increasing the capacity of traditional retailers, operating digital service centers, and increase in export performance. PMI has invested US$ 9 billion to develop and introduce innovative smoke-free tobacco products.

Indonesia Exports Smoke-Free Tobacco Products to Malaysia-Philippines

Today, 12 January 2023, PT HM Sampoerna Tbk in Karawang, West Java, made its first export to the Asia-Pacific market, one of which is Malaysia and the Philippines. Sampoerna has realized this US$ 186 million investment.
“We appreciate Sampoerna for committing to realize an investment of US$ 166.1 million for this innovative tobacco product. With a capacity of 15.45 billion cigarettes per year, it involves approximately 500 skilled workers supported by research facilities and development investment of US$ 600 thousand,” said Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto.

January 12, 2023, detikFinance
(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6512336/pertama-di-asean-ri-resmikan-pabrik-produk-tembakau-bebas-asap)
(https://finance.detik.com/industri/d-6511739/perdana-ri-ekspor-produk-tembakau-bebas-asap-ke-malaysia-filipina)

First Nano Satellite Made in Indonesia Released in Space

The first nano-satellite made in Indonesia, Surya Satellite-1 (SS-1), has successfully launched on schedule in 2022. Earlier this year, the satellite made by the nation’s children was officially released from the International Space Station (ISS). SS-1 was developed by a group of students from Surya University since 2016 with the support and supervision of experts from the BRIN Satellite Technology Research Center. This project also received support from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo), the Indonesian Radio Amateur Organization, PT Pudak Scientific, PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara and other stakeholders.
On Friday (6/1/2023), SS-1 was successfully released from the ISS into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) JSSOD deployer module. The release of SS-1 was broadcast on the YouTube channel of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and JAXA, so the general public also witnessed the seconds of SS-1’s launch from the ISS to LEO. To note, the release of SS-1 into orbit allows the satellite to operate at an altitude of 400-420 km above the Earth’s surface, with an inclination angle of 51.7 degrees.
BRIN said the launch of the first nano-satellite in Indonesia was the starting point which showed that young scientists and the nation’s children had succeeded in making a big history in achieving the national space industry.This is because the launching of nano satellites is relatively new in Indonesia, because the majority of which are currently operating and using micro satellites. SS-1 is a nano satellite or cubesat measuring 10 x 10 x 11.35 cm and weighing 1 to 1.3 kg, smaller than a micro satellite or tubesat which usually weighs 50-70 kg.
The flight of SS-1 in November 2022 to the ISS is good news for the Indonesian people, because the launch was delayed for several days due to unfavorable weather factors. The SS-1 mission is an Automatic Packet Reporting System which functions as a communication medium via satellite in short text form. This technology can be developed for disaster mitigation, remote monitoring, and emergency communications.

January 6, 2023, detikInet
(https://inet.detik.com/science/d-6501838/sukses-satelit-nano-pertama-buatan-indonesia-dilepas-di-antariksa)
(https://www.detik.com/edu/edutainment/d-6502560/satelit-nano-pertama-indonesia-lepas-landas-karya-mahasiswa-ri-lho)