For the first time in history, export of iron and steel surpassed thermal coal. In September 2020, Indonesia recorded US$1.08 billion export revenues from iron & steel (HS 72), bigger than thermal coal (US$1.06 billion). With more stainless steel and carbon steel factories entering commercial operation in Morowali (Central Sulawesi) and Konawe (South Sulawesi), Indonesia might generate more from the industry, while thermal coal loses steam due to global oversupply.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has inaugurated commercial operation of the Manado-Danowudu section (26.35 KM) as part of the Manado-Bitung (39KM) toll road. The project is built under the Private Public Partnership (PPP). State-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga (JSMR) is the main investor. The toll road is slated to boost profile of Bitung special economic zone (SEZ), one of SEZs prioritized by central government. 

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has on Tuesday (Sep 29) inaugurated commercial operation of the first toll road in North Sulawesi province. The Manado-Danowudu section (26.35 KM) is part of the Manado-Bitung (39 KM), which is expected to boost connectivity in the province, including the special economic zone of Bitung. 

There are at least three smelter grade alumina (SGA) projects in the construction phase in Indonesia during the pandemic. Two of them will likely enter commercial production in the coming months to lift the country’s profile in the world’s supply-chain of aluminium industry.

Petrochemical remains an attractive sector for investments, including to tap growing domestic demand for bleaching materials and disinfectant, which gained popularity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has on Friday (Sep 25) inaugurated commercial operation of Pekanbaru-Dumai toll road (131 KM) in Riau Province, which was built with Rp16.21 trillion of investment from state EPC firm PT Hutama Karya. The toll road will boost connectivity in the resources-rich province, which is home to major pulp-paper, palm oil, and oil & gas operations.

We have no idea when the pandemic will be over, so the government’s decision to proceed with physical construction of major infrastructure projects should be appreciated. Most of the projects pointed to significant progress during the pandemic. They will eventually help the country, including its tourism industry, to recover once the pandemic is over.

Coordinating minister for maritime and investment affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan sets an ambitious target of US$30 billion export value from iron and steel in 2024, doubled from the 2021 target (between US$13 billion and US$15 billion). “Exclusive of (export revenues from) lithium battery,” he said on Tuesday (Sep 15).

K.R.S Corporation, Japan’s leading cold chain operator, is expanding its business in Indonesia through acquisition of local cold chain company, which owns three cold storages and over 500 fleets, generators, and trucking.

The state airport management company Angkasa Pura I has officially invited strategic partners to develop Lombok-Praya International Airport (LOP) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, where the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is being developed. Despite corrections in 2019 and this year (due to the Covid-19 outbreak), the airport is set grow faster in the medium-long term.