Indika, Foxconn Sign JV Agreement on EV Factory

Electric vehicle (EV) company PT Mitra Motor Group (MMG), a subsidiary of coalminer PT Indika Energy, created a joint venture (JV) with EV component producer Foxteq Singapore on Sept. 22. According to an information disclosure released on Friday, the JV will be called PT Foxconn Indika Motor (FIM), which is licensed to build EVs with four wheels or more, produce batteries and provide management consulting services.
“MMG’s participation in FIM is the company’s step toward expanding its business activities into the electric vehicle sector, especially four-wheeled electric vehicles, in Indonesia,” Indika Energy corporate secretary Adi Pramono said in the disclosure.
Focusing on manufacturing commercial electric cars and batteries, the JV was followed by an investment of Rp39 billion (US$2.5 million) from MMG, equivalent to 60 percent of the paid-up capital. An affiliation of Hon Hai Technology Group, known as Foxconn, Foxteq Singapore paid in capital of Rp 29 billion, the equivalent of 40 percent of the paid-up capital.
Indika Energy director and group chief investment officer Purbaja Pantja said that the company saw huge potential in EV development in Indonesia. “This collaboration will create a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem that aims to support Indonesia in becoming one of the leading electric vehicle and battery ecosystem developers,” Purbaja said.
Foxconn battery strategy head Troy Wu said that this JV showed the firm’s commitment to developing a sustained EV ecosystem in the country. “Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and holds the current G20 presidency and the next ASEAN chairmanship, and has committed to an ambitious net-zero emission target,” Wu added.
Previously, another Indika Energy EV manufacturing arm PT Ilectra Motor Group (IMG) launched the indigenous fully electric Alva One Motorcycle, which will be manufactured in a factory in Cikarang, West Java. In order to develop the two-wheeler brand and its supporting ecosystem, IMG raised a total of US$7.5 million in May from Alpha JWC Ventures, Horizon Ventures, equal to 21.4 percent of the company’s shares, while Indika Energy added another $7.5 million.

September23, 2022, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2022/09/23/indika-foxconn-sign-jv-agreement-on-ev-factory.html?)

Astra Invests $259m in BJJ to Form Digital Bank

Diversified conglomerate Astra International has completed a transaction to acquire a stake in private lender Bank Jasa Jakarta (BJJ) for Rp 3.88 trillion (US$259 million) with a view to forming its own digital bank. The transaction was done through Astra subsidiary PT Sedaya Multi Investama, also known as Astra Financial, alongside WeLab Sky, a consortium led by Hong Kong-based fintech platform WeLab, with each entity to own 49.56 percent of BJJ.
“BJJ as a digital bank will complement many financial products and services that we could offer to our customers,” Astra financial director in charge Suparno Djasmin said in a statement on Monday.
Astra’s acquisition comes after a wave of new digital banks in the country, like GoTo-backed Bank Jago, CT Corp-backed Allo Bank and Sea Group-backed Sea Bank. Digital banks have gained traction in Indonesia, where their investors look to capitalize on the country’s large market with consumers who are accepting of the fintech industry.
Simon Loong, founder and group CEO of WeLab, said the acquisition would allow the fintech firm to expand its digital bank services beyond Hong Kong. In 2018, WeLab partnered with Astra to form a fintech lending company, PT Astra WeLab Digital Arta.
“Our partnership with Astra will support our strategic focus to increase our cooperation and business with partners in expanding the scale and reach to strengthen our network in pan-Asia fintech platforms,” Simon said in the same statement.

September20, 2022, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2022/09/20/astra-invests-259m-in-bjj-to-form-digital-bank.html?)

Jeju Air to Open Direct Manado-South Korea Flight in Tourism Bid

South Korea’s Jeju Air has inked a deal with the North Sulawesi administration to offer direct flights between Manado and South Korea. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae and North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey signed the agreement at the Indonesian ambassador’s residence in Seoul on Friday.
“I’m very grateful because we are sure that our company can help with Korean and Indonesian economic development. We will try our best to open direct flights to Manado, Bali, Lombok, Jakarta and Yogyakarta,” Kim said, noting that such flights were in the pipeline.
Olly said North Sulawesi was well situated for the deal, being only five hours by plane from South Korea, and he expressed hope that the flight route could boost tourism for both North Sulawesi and South Korea.
“What makes North Sulawesi ideal is how relatively close it is to South Korea. North Sulawesi’s location and geostrategy offer benefits for water transportation to and from Bitung Harbor, which is not far from Sam Ratulangi Airport. Manado people love to travel. So, this deal is beneficial to both parties. I hope Mr. Kim and the Busan Authority can come to North Sulawesi in the near future to see other potential projects we can work on together because Manado and South Korea have a lot of similarities. For example, you have a lot of ginseng plants, and liquors too,” said Olly.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the new route could increase international tourists’ awareness of attractions near Manado, particularly Likupang, a government “super priority” tourist destination. “The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry fully supports the signing of this deal, as it can have a multiplier effect in the future for tourism and the creative economy in North Sulawesi. This route can serve as an opportunity for local creative industry players to showcase quality products and services to South Korean tourists,” Sandiaga said.

September20, 2022, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2022/09/20/jeju-air-to-open-direct-manado-south-korea-flight-in-tourism-bid.html?)

Ma’ruf Amin in China: Indonesia Invites Chinese Entrepreneurs in Halal Industry Investment

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin met with the CEO and General Manager of 10 companies from the provinces of Fujian, Guangxi and Shanghai, China. Ma’ruf invited the entrepreneurs to invest and develop the halal industry in Indonesia. The meeting took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Fuzhou Riverside, Fuchou, Fujian Province, China, Friday (9/15/2023). Ma’ruf initially appreciated a number of projects in cooperation between Chinese and Indonesian entrepreneurs in the Republic of Indonesia.

“Appreciation for a number of cooperation projects between Indonesia-China in the Corridor of the Twin Twin Parks (TCTP) Two Countries Cooperation Corridor. Ma’ruf when meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs.

Ma’ruf hopes that there will be an expansion in the halal industry sector. Because, according to him, the market share of halal Chinese and Indonesian products is very potential. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said the Indonesian government would provide various facilities to invest in the halal sector. Ma’ruf said that currently Indonesia has 3 Halal Industrial Estates (KIH). The regions include Halal Modern Valley in Serang, Halal Industrial Park in Sidoarjo and Bintan Inti Halal Hub in Bintan. Ma’ruf then invited the entrepreneurs to invest in Indonesia in the halal industry sector.

“What is interesting again had met with entrepreneurs, more than 10 big entrepreneurs to invest in halal products, in the (sector) of food, drinks, as well as in fisheries problems and others,” Ma’ruf Amin told reporters At Fuzhou, Fujian, China, Friday (9/15/2023).

“We Indonesia do open up opportunities to provide ease, provide incentives for investors from everywhere, including from China. And we happen to already have the halal industrial area that we offer,” he said.

September 15, 2023, detikNews

(https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6933196/maruf-amin-di-china-ri-akan-beri-kemudahan-untuk-investor-industri-halal)

(https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6932314/bertemu-di-fujian-maruf-ajak-pengusaha-china-investasi-industri-halal-di-ri)

Deal! Singapore Import 2 GigaWatt Electricity from Indonesia

Indonesia and Singapore agreed to buy and sell electricity. Singapore will import low carbon electricity from Indonesia. This was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif and Deputy Minister of Trade and Singapore Industry Tan See Leng. Tan See Leng said, Singapore’s energy authority had approved a low carbon electricity import as much as 2 gigawatts (GW) from Indonesia to Singapore.

“I am happy to announce that EMA (Energy Market Authority Singapore) has given conditional approval for imports of 2 low-carbon electricity gigawatts from Indonesia to Singapore,” said Tan See Leng in the Indonesia Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2023 at Park Hyatt Hotel, Jakarta Central , Friday (8/9/2023).

There are five companies from Indonesia that submitted proposals to provide low carbon electricity to Singapore. Tan See Leng explained collectively, these companies will install 11 GW solar panel capacities and 21 my battery energy storage in Indonesia.

“These projects will become the largest solar and battery power plants in Indonesia and will serve the energy needs of Indonesia and Singapore,” said Tan See Leng.

On the other hand, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dadan Kusdiana explained that after the signing of a memorandum of understanding, each party would provide certainty. From Singapore will convey the needs to the requested electricity quality.

“Singapore will convey to us. So, this is G to G, Singapore will convey to Indonesia that Singapore needs electricity, what capacity per year, what kind of electricity, what quality will be,” Dadan said in his office, Central Jakarta.

The Pacific Medco Solar Energy consortium is one of those who will participate. This consortium consists of PT Medco Power Indonesia, Pacific Light Energy Singapore, and Gallant Venture Singapore. Then, there are two other companies that participated in exporting electricity to Singapore, namely PT Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk also PT Energi Baru TBS. Meanwhile on the Singapore side there are five companies that will participate in this electricity import plan, ranging from the Seraphim Solar System, Longi Solar Technology, IDN Solar Tech, Sungrow Power Supply, and Huawei Tech Investment.

Returning to Tan See Leng, he also explained that up to 2035 his country would import 4 my electricity low carbon. Of these, 50% of their needs were met from Indonesia. According to him, this is proof of close partnership between the two major countries in Southeast Asia.

September 9, 2023, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-6921629/deal-singapura-bakal-beli-listrik-2-gw-dari-ri)

ASEAN Summit in Jakarta 2023: Producing 93 Projects Worth IDR 580 Trillion and Other Agreements.

The latest ASEAN Summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 5-7 September 2023 ago. The 43rd ASEAN Summit was held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on 5-7 September 2023. This year Indonesia got the opportunity to host the ASEAN Summit again after the 42nd Summit in Labuan Bajo NTT in May 2023. President Jokowi officially opened the Summit on September 5, 2023, at the Plenary Hall, JCC. The theme of the ASEAN 2023 Summit is the ‘ASEAN Matters Epicentrum of Growth,’ which was attended by state leaders and representatives from 10 ASEAN member countries, as well as representatives from ASEAN Partners. The implementation of the Summit for three days held 12 summit meetings and produced 90 important agreement documents and several other agreements with ASEAN partner countries in the fields of security, humanity and economy. The following are the results of several main agreements:

ASEAN Concord IV, also called Jakarta Declaration on ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth (Jakarta Declaration in the Importance of ASEAN: Growth Center) was agreed upon by ASEAN member countries on September 5, 2023. ASEAN Concord IV became the main document in the 43rd ASEAN Summit Declars 16 points that emphasize the importance of ASEAN for all of its people and become the center of growth in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region and its surroundings, including implementing the vision of the ASEAN 2025 community towards the vision of the ASEAN 2045 community.

1. The agreement of the cooperation project between ASEAN members and other state partners.

A total of 93 projects valued at US $ 38.2 billion or equivalent to IDR 580.64 trillion (exchange rate of IDR 15,200). “I appreciate the support and contribution of ASEAN countries and ASEAN partners, so that 93 projects have been collected by US $ 38.2 billion,” said President Joko Widodo in the opening of AIPF 2023 at the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023) .

2. ASEAN MATTERS

Contains 10 points that include security issues including: Strengthening cooperation to overcome the challenges of drugs in the region in order to build a safe, peaceful, and drug-free environment for the ASEAN community; Preserving the ASEAN region as a nuclear weapon-free zone and other mass destruction weapons as immortalized in the ASEAN Charter and the Seanwfz Agreement (South East Nuclear Weapon Free-Zone); Re -enforcing the International Sea Law (UNCLOS 1982) to maintain and maintain peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation including flights, especially over the South China Sea.

3. Epicentrum of growth

Contains 31 points of the majority action programs including economic, industrial, environmental, education to migrant workers.

4. Implementation of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)

Contains 8 action program points about increasing the role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain peace and security related to geopolitics and geostrategic.

5. ASEAN Secretariat Becomes ASEAN Headquarters

ASEAN state leaders agreed to change the status of ASEAN Secretary or the ASEAN Secretariat into the ASEAN Headquarters or ASEAN Headquarters.

6. Middle Eastern Problems

ASEAN leaders expressed concern over the war between Israel and Palestine. ASEAN expressed its support for Palestinian freedom through the realization of the two coexist.

September 5, 2023, detikFinance dan detikEdu

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6914376/jokowi-ungkap-buah-hasil-ktt-asean-93-proyek-senilai-rp-580-t)(https://www.detik.com/edu/detikpedia/d-6925505/hasil-ktt-asean-tahun-2023-di-jakarta-asean-concord-iv-myanmar-hingga-timteng)

Pepsi Builds First Factory IDR 3 Trillion in Bekasi, Indonesia

PT Pepsico Indonesia Foods and Beverages (Pepsico Indonesia) inaugurated the laying of the first stone for its first snack manufacturing facilities in Indonesia worth US $ 200 million or around IDR 3 trillion. This is certainly good news, because previously Pepsi had left Indonesia.

The inauguration of the commencement of the Pepsi Factory was carried out by the Minister of Investment of the Republic of Indonesia/ Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, United States Trade Attache for Indonesia Melissa Marszalek, CEO of Asia Business Unit Pepso Kitjatan Para (Eric), and CEO of Pepsico Indonesia Asif Mobin.

The start of this manufacturing facility also symbolizes Pepsico’s commitment to ensure a positive contribution to Indonesia’s economic development. This facility also underlines a broader destination: priority to local workers, the use of local raw materials, and strengthening the domestic industrial chain.

The factory, which will be built on an area of 60,000 m2 in Cikarang, West Java, will later produce a number of snack products. This dabel will also be a manufacturing facility that fully applies the principle of sustainability. This factory will implement environmental sustainability and human resource development in the core operation, ensuring its practice remains in harmony with global environmental standards while creating a positive social impact.

In its operation, the factory will use 100% source renewable electricity. Related to water management, Pepsico will implement 100% recycled water utilization and adopt the net water positive approach from the first day of operation, to support ESG initiatives at the regional level. Pepsi considers Indonesia to present unlimited opportunities, especially in the food and beverage industry sector because of dynamic demographic profiles, and the needs of consumers who continue to grow. In addition, the Indonesian government has also taken a policy to foster a dynamic investment climate. In line with this positive climate, Pepsico Indonesia has reiterated its long -term investment commitment in Indonesia.

“We appreciate Pepsico’s long -term commitment to Indonesia’s economic growth through investments that are estimated to reach US $ 200 million. We hope that this investment will bring transfer of knowledge and technology for the people of Indonesia, as well as benefit the community and cooperate with local entrepreneurs and micro businesses, Small and medium (MSMEs) around, “said Bahlil Lahadalia.

Pepsico’s investment not only provides economic benefits, but also opens the way for Indonesian farmers to implement better agricultural practices and technology. With global expertise guided by a positive pepsico strategy (PEP+), Pepsico is ready to empower Indonesian farmers with advanced knowledge of resilience and climate adaptation and sustainable agricultural engineering.

August 30, 2023, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230830145244-4-467559/pepsi-bangun-pabrik-pertama-rp-3-triliun-di-bekasi)

Indonesia Exports 1,000 Tons of Green Beans to China Worth IDR 16.8 Billion

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo released 1,000 tons of green bean exports. The export value reached IDR 16.8 billion. Syahrul said that this export is one proof of the Indonesian agricultural sector at this time, despite being faced with global challenges such as El Nino so it needs to be encouraged to increase downstreaming green beans to provide added value to the national economy.

“Today I and PT Haniori export green beans to China. I think symbolically 1,000 tons is a part of representing that we have strong resources in agriculture more specifically for green beans,” Syahrul said in his departure, quoted on Tuesday (29/8 /2023).

The export target of agricultural commodities in 2023 was IDR 900 trillion, an increase from the previous year amounting to IDR 658.18 trillion. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to make efforts to increase the volume of exports of green beans and increase the export destination country in order to pursue the export target of agricultural commodities in 2023.

“We are targeting our exports to 2023 to reach IDR 900 trillion. So, the government and business people and others must work together, divide our tasks so that our targets can be achieved. For this green bean, the exports are not only in China, but also later exports will be carried out to the Philippines, Thailand And we encourage businesses to explore the market in Europe, “he stressed.

Keep in mind, in 2022 the volume of green bean exports in total amounted to 16.54 thousand tons with a value of IDR 314.90 billion and in 2023 per August, of 11.15 thousand tons with a value of IDR 211.17 billion The Director General of Food Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi added that the area of planting green beans on an average of 140 thousand ha with a production of 230 thousand tons. Harvest age of green beans is 2 months with provitas 1.5 tons/ha. Production costs are relatively cheap IDR 2 to 5 million/ha, as a distraction after planting rice during the dry season with a selling price at farmers IDR 15,000/kg.

“The five areas of origin of the largest green bean production include East Java, Central Java, NTB, NTT, and South Sulawesi with the top 4 export destination countries namely China, Taiwan, Philippines and Japan. On the downstream side, green beans have more than 20 types of derivative products namely porridge beans, porridge porridge, baby food, hunkesoun, wedang round, green bean juice, drinks, bacang, yanko, gandasturi, bakpia, onde onde, peanut brittle, bakpau, biscuits, milk, sprouts, shampoo, feed and others. Open, which is currently only around 10 percent of national production,” Suwandi said.

August 29, 2023, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6901244/ri-ekspor-1000-ton-kacang-hijau-ke-china-rp-168-miliar)

Jokowi and President Mozambik Agree on the Exports of Oil and Gas Investments

President Joko Widodo met Mozambik President Filipe Nyusi today, Wednesday (8/23/2023) in Maputo, the capital of Mozambik. From the bilateral meeting a number of agreements were produced, including involving investment in the oil and gas sector to the RI SOE output railroad exports. In a joint statement broadcast through the Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat, Jokowi explained the results of the meeting. Since implementing the Indonesia-Mozambik Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2022, Indonesia recorded a trade increase of 78% as of June 2023.

“We agreed to optimize the use of PTA for businesses through cooperation through the Chamber of Commerce,” Jokowi said, quoted from the broadcast, Wednesday (8/23).

In addition, it was also agreed that the cooperation between Mamasok Train from BUMN Indonesia to Mozambik. There is also an investment plan for the management of the oil and gas sector in end to end by BUMN Indonesia. The Kenya government plans to invest through Pertamina in the geothermal sector of Kenya worth US $ 1.5 billion or IDR 22.99 trillion.

“Indonesia wants to increase investment in Kenya, especially in the energy sector. For this reason, I ask for support for Pertamina’s investment with the Geothermal Development Company of US $ 1.5 billion and with the Goma Group can be immediately realized and expanded in the EBT field and the Bilateral Investment needs to form Treaty between the two countries, “

Then there is also a plan to expand the investment in the power generation sector, as well as the production and sales of gas distribution by Indonesian private companies.

“In addition, I also welcome the plan to form a bilateral investment treatment and assign relevant ministers to immediately complete this agreement,” he added.

Next, another agreement that is also produced through this meeting is in terms of strengthening the cooperation of health resilience in Mozambik, by procuring vaccines, medicines, and medical devices. For this, Jokowi asked the President Nyusi to immediately carry out the vaccine registration process from Indonesia.

“Indonesia is committed to strengthening development cooperation with Africa and Indonesia is completing the grand design for the next 5 years for African in the health, food and energy sector, and other sectors that are the interests of Mozambic,” he said.

Then the last one, the two have agreed to form a task in order to follow up on all discussions in this bilateral meeting. Not to forget, Jokowi also invitied Mozambik to attend and participate in the Mozambik in the Indonesia-Africa Forum next year.

August 23, 2023, detikFinance and CNBC Indonesia

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-6892448/jokowi-bertemu-presiden-mozambik-sepakati-ekspor-kereta-investasi-migas)

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230821185147-4-464816/jokowi-sebut-pertamina-akan-investasi-rp-23-triliun-di-kenya)

RI Approves ASEAN Deals on Food Safety, Building Materials, and Manufacturing

Represented by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, the Indonesian government has signed four mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) to harmonize ASEAN member countries’ standards and practices in food safety, building and construction materials, as well as the manufacture of medicinal products. With its signature, Indonesia is pushing for regional standardization to remove nontariff trade barriers and facilitate the free flow of goods, both within ASEAN and in a global context.

“The aim is to minimize trade obstacles and increase trade facilitation in ASEAN,” said Zulkifli on the sidelines of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday.

Zulkifli added that the first MRA was the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangements (AFA MRA), which would function as the legal constitution for other MRAs aimed at harmonizing standards and regulations across the ASEAN region. The second one, the ASEAN Food Safety Regulatory Framework Agreement (AFSRFA), would pave the way for regionally integrated food safety standards. The third MRA is the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements for Building and Construction Materials (MRA BCM), to recognize certification of individual member states across the ASEAN block.

In Indonesia, food safety standards are imposed and governed by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), and each ASEAN member country has its own standards and regulations.

“We are ASEAN, we have been close for so long. We have the RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership], but it looks like we keep acting on our own. We will unify standards in the services sector,” said Zulkifli.

The minister claimed that the enforcement of this MRA would do away with additional costs and guarantee a high quality of products. The last MRA signed by the minister constitutes a standardization of practices in the manufacturing of medicinal products, which has been effective since 2015. The signing on this MRA was intended to amend the agreement and is called the Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Sectoral MRA for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Inspection of Manufacturers of Medicinal Products. Inked in an ad referendum manner, the MRAs are subject to approval by the other countries before they can be implemented.

The 55th AEM Meeting brings together more than 500 delegates from 10 ASEAN member countries and a dozen ASEAN trade partners from Aug. 17 to 22. The topics discussed in the meetings range from free trade agreements and RCEP membership to trade impediments.

August 21, 2023, The Jakarta Post

(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/08/21/ri-approves-asean-deals-on-food-safety-building-materials-manufacturing.html)