Bahlil Aims to Strengthen National Competitiveness in the Global Battery Industry Through IBS 2025

Jakarta, 9 August 2025 – The International Battery Summit (IBS) 2025, initiated by the National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) and co-hosted by the Indonesian Battery Ecosystem Association (Id Battery), was officially opened by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5 August 2025).

In his remarks, Bahlil recalled how he first received the mandate to push downstreaming of mining commodities into finished products.

“I was one of the first to initiate battery downstreaming, starting when I was appointed as Minister of Investment during President Jokowi’s administration, alongside Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut. This has continued under President Prabowo’s government, as part of his priority programme on energy security,” he said in a statement received by the media on Saturday (9 August 2025).

He further explained that the government has set a target for full downstreaming to be achieved by the end of 2027. “Indonesia will then be one of the first countries to build an integrated electric vehicle battery ecosystem from upstream to downstream. This is in line with President Prabowo’s Asta Cita vision,” he noted.

Bahlil expressed hope that IBS 2025 would actively strengthen the competitiveness of the national industry through collaboration with government, academia, and international partners. “As the government, we are very open to both domestic and foreign investors who wish to invest in Indonesia. Should any obstacles arise, report them to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and we will ensure support until these investments are up and running,” he promised.

Chair of IBS 2025 and Founder of the National Battery Research Institute (NBRI), Prof. Evvy Kartini, highlighted that the summit has drawn participation from 30 countries, demonstrating Indonesia’s significant progress in mineral downstreaming.

“Many countries came to IBS 2025 to see for themselves how Indonesia has already carried out downstreaming, turning nickel into derivative products such as MHP, and even moving further into precursors and cathode materials. Plants like Huayu and ATL show that this process is truly happening here in Indonesia, not abroad,” she explained.

Indonesia is increasingly consolidating its position as a global hub for the battery and electric vehicle industry. In the lead-up to IBS 2025, various strategic initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen collaboration between industry players, government, academia, and global partners in building a sustainable energy ecosystem.

As part of the Indonesia Maju vision and the implementation of Asta Cita—particularly point five on strengthening downstreaming and industrialisation to enhance the value of natural resources—the government has made downstreaming a central strategy for national economic transformation.

Downstreaming in critical minerals, including nickel and batteries, generates domestic added value, strengthens energy independence, and enhances Indonesia’s global competitiveness. This commitment is reflected in the establishment of an integrated EV battery industry ecosystem by the ANTAM–IBC–CBL consortium in the Artha Industrial Hills (AIH) area, Karawang, West Java. The initiative has become a symbol of Indonesia’s serious approach to sustainable downstreaming, now serving as a benchmark for other developing nations.

Prof. Evvy added that IBS 2025, held on 5–6 August 2025 at Hotel Mulia Jakarta, is organised by NBRI in collaboration with Id Battery as co-host, with Pamerindo as co-organiser. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources serves as Ministry Co-Host, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) and the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming (BKPM) act as Ministry Support.

Downstreaming in the battery sector represents a crucial pillar in advancing national energy independence. It creates added value domestically, reduces reliance on imports, and strengthens Indonesia’s position in the global market.

The summit also serves as a strategic global forum bringing together stakeholders across the EV and battery value chain, as well as an energy diplomacy platform—highlighted by the panel “Energy Diplomacy: South-South Nations Cooperation”, which will involve representatives from embassies and international industry players. In this context, the presence or directives of the President or senior government representatives are highly anticipated, to reinforce Indonesia’s role as a regional leader and global collaboration hub.

“IBS 2025 is not merely a summit but a collaborative global movement to shape the future of energy, particularly for Indonesia. As we all know, Indonesia has the resources, human capital, and strong political will. This is our time to lead—not just to follow,” Prof. Evvy Kartini concluded.

Source: Rakyat Merdeka