Prabowo to launch first EV battery export on October 8th
Jakarta Globe, 8 Oct '26
President Prabowo Subianto is travelling to Central Halmahera in North Maluku on October 8th to launch Indonesia's first export of electric vehicle batteries as part of a US$ 10.2 billion downstream industrial development programme.
Prabowo and a limited delegation departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on the morning of October 8th for the working visit.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said Prabowo would also launch 11 industrial projects at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park in Central Halmahera, with a combined investment value of US$ 10.2 billion, or approximately IDR 180 trillion.
The projects include the commercialisation of four industrial projects and the commencement of construction on seven new projects, Teddy said.
"President Prabowo will launch a US$ 10.2 billion, or around IDR 180 trillion, industrial development programme consisting of the first export of electric vehicle batteries and the launch of 11 industrial projects," Teddy said in a statement posted on the Cabinet Secretariat's social media account.
The battery export forms part of Indonesia's efforts to establish a domestic electric vehicle supply chain and process its mineral resources into higher-value products before they are exported. The policy has been particularly prominent in the nickel industry.
Indonesia, which holds some of the world's largest nickel reserves, banned exports of raw nickel ore in 2020 and has sought to attract investment in smelters, battery materials and electric vehicle manufacturing. The new projects are also expected to contribute to Indonesia's industrial development and increase the economic value generated from the country's natural resources.
Prabowo was accompanied on the flight to North Maluku by Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Sugiono, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and Housing and Settlement Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait.
