Infrastructure Journal
West Sumatra, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, will no longer be isolated. After nearly one decade of pushbacks, the province will likely see commercial operation of the first toll road and be connected to the trans-Sumatra, an ambitious infrastructure program of President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo.
More Higher Quality Investments in Nickel
Vale Indonesia (INCO) has embarked on two out of three nickel smelting projects with combined investment of US$8.5 billion, all of them in Sulawesi Island. The third, to be located in its existing smelting facility in Sorowako, South Sulawesi province, might follow soon as part of the company’s commitments for the extension of mining contract beyond 2025.
Recovery of Tourism & Transportation
Indonesia welcomed around 736,000 tourists in January 2023, surged 503% from the same month last year. It is below average monthly visits prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but still a substantial recovery.
Manufacturing continues to attract foreign investors
China’s chopper tube and bar manufacturer Zhejiang Hailiang will invest 5-9 billion CNY or around US$849 million in Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) in Gresik, East Java province. The company will construct a factory that makes the high-performance copper foil used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries with an annual output of 100,000 tons of electrolytic foil.
Tourism Industry Recovery
Following the successful inaugural F1H2O race in Toba Lake on Sunday (Feb 26), some investors have reportedly expressed their interests to build new hotels in the tourism destination. President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo admitted a lot of things have to be fixed in the event and surrounding area, but we still have to appreciate the progresses made.
Nickel-EV Journal
Indonesia continues to attract investors in nickel processing. The latest is a proposed US$780 million loan for new High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) smelter in Obi Island, North Maluku province.
Toll Road Projects Update
State toll road developer Jasa Marga (JSMR) has quietly moved closer to completion of two sections of Jakarta-Cikampek II Selatan, which will become another alternative to access trans-Java and Jakarta-Bandung toll roads.
Infrastructure journal
We’re now about two months from the mass exodus or movement of people for Lebaran holidays, most likely bigger than the previous years because of lifting of Covid-19 related restrictions and more toll roads in commercial or functional operations.
Revitalizing Gas-Based Factories in Aceh
Aceh, the north-western most province in Indonesia, used to be one of petrochemical centers in the country alongside Bontang (East Kalimantan), Cilegon (Banten province), and Gresik-Tuban (East Java). Downfall of natural gas production and delay in development of new gas fields, however, led to closure of some gas-based factories in the province.
Vale & Green Nickel Project
Nickel producer Vale Indonesia (INCO) through PT Bahodopi Nickel Smelting Indonesia (BNSI), a joint venture with TISCO and Xinhai Technology, has on Friday (February 10) kicked off construction of the integrated low-carbon nickel mining and processing project in Bahodopi, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.