Bahlil states no G2G nickel cooperation between Indonesia and Philippines yet

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has emphasised that there is currently no official government-to-government (G2G) cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines regarding nickel commodities.

“Our country is now promoting a society of downstreaming and industrialisation. One of the countries with nickel reserves is the Philippines,” Bahlil said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to him, Indonesia is currently focused on promoting the downstreaming and industrialisation of natural resources as a strategy to increase domestic value added.

He explained that there is currently no nickel cooperation under the government-to-government scheme between Indonesia and the Philippines. Nevertheless, opportunities for cooperation remain open through business-to-business (B2B) mechanisms.

“In the context of G2G cooperation, there is none. But if there is B2B that mutually needs and benefits each other, I think that option is always there,” he said.

Bahlil added that the government in principle supports industrial sector collaborations as long as they provide economic benefits and strengthen the national downstreaming ecosystem.

The government continues to encourage the development of the nickel processing industry domestically to strengthen the supply chain for the electric vehicle battery industry and enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global market.

The issue of nickel commodity cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines has emerged alongside the agenda of President Prabowo’s visit to the Philippines on 7-8 May 2026. One of the sectors to be discussed is nickel industry development.