Get Ready, World: Bahlil Says Indonesia Will No Longer Export Raw Materials
The Coordinating Ministry for Downstreaming and Energy Transition has affirmed that Indonesia will no longer be a country that exports raw materials. Indonesia has already halted exports of unprocessed mineral ores and required domestic downstream processing for all strategic commodities since 2020.
Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia said the policy is intended to cover a range of sectors to support national economic growth.
“Ladies and gentlemen, investors, we want to assure you that Indonesia will no longer be a country that merely exports raw materials. We know very well that some countries which have industrialised by relying on raw materials from Indonesia initially felt very affected,” he said at the Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 on Wednesday (14 October 2026).
The government has drawn up a long-term national downstreaming plan through 2040, with a target value of US$618 billion, equivalent to Rp11,062 trillion at an exchange rate of Rp17,900 per US dollar. The plan covers minerals and coal, oil and gas, forestry, fisheries and agriculture.
“I would like to say that Indonesia’s downstreaming masterplan sets a target of US$618 billion by 2040. Downstreaming will in fact be carried out across all sectors: minerals and coal, oil and gas, forestry, fisheries and agriculture,” he said.
The halt on nickel ore exports in 2017–2018 has helped increase export value from US$3.3 billion to US$34 billion in 2023. Nickel exports exceeded US$40 billion in 2025 and are targeted to reach at least US$45 billion in 2026 as the electric vehicle battery ecosystem comes into operation.
“After we stopped exporting nickel ore, we built industrialisation, downstream processing and an electric car battery ecosystem from upstream to downstream, all the way to battery packs. Thankfully, the value of our exports in the nickel minerals sector alone reached US$34 billion in 2023, exceeded US$40 billion in 2025, and I am targeting at least US$45 billion in 2026,” he said.
Domestic value creation through downstream processing is intended to strengthen national self-reliance. The government is encouraging foreign investors to invest directly in Indonesia, making use of new and renewable energy to support green industry.
“That is why I say to all of you: invest here. We will encourage this by providing new and renewable energy. Global markets are increasingly looking for products made with green energy and from green industry,” he said.