Indonesia and Philippines forge nickel corridor to strengthen regional supply chain
Indonesia, Philippines Forge Nickel Corridor to Strengthen Regional Supply Chain
09 Mei 2026 16:42 WIB
Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
The “Indonesia-Philippines Nickel Corridor” was launched to build stronger industrial value chains in the critical minerals sector.
This initiative aims to reinforce regional supply chains and elevate both nations’ positions in the global nickel market.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) believes that a new strategic partnership with the Philippines in the critical minerals sector will not only reinforce regional supply chains but also elevate both countries’ positions in the global market.
Speaking in Jakarta on Saturday, May 9, 2026, Kadin’s Deputy Chairman for International Relations, Bernardino Moningka Vega, described the Indonesia-Philippines Nickel Corridor initiative as a fresh model of regional economic cooperation.
Unlike traditional commodity trade, he said, the partnership focuses on building stronger industrial value chains.
The initiative was unveiled during the Indonesia-Philippines High-Level Business Roundtable in Cebu, organized by Kadin Indonesia and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), coinciding with President Prabowo Subianto’s official visit to the Philippines for the 48th ASEAN Summit.
“Aligned with this year’s ASEAN theme – Navigating Our Future, Together – the roundtable has mapped out a roadmap not only for bilateral cooperation but also for ASEAN’s readiness to face current geo-economic realities,” Bernardino explained, as quoted by Antara.
Collaboration between the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) will cover data and information exchange, policy dialogue, cross-border investment promotion, ESG methodology development, and workforce capacity building.
Indonesia produced around 2.6 million metric tons of nickel in 2025, while the Philippines contributed 270,000 metric tons. Together, the two nations accounted for 73.6 percent of global nickel output, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Indonesia holds an estimated 62 million metric tons of reserves, compared to the Philippines’ 4.8 million metric tons. For Indonesia, the partnership secures raw material supplies for its expanding downstream nickel industry, while for the Philippines, it opens opportunities to add value through regional processing and investment.
Beyond nickel, the forum also produced agreements on strategic chamber-to-chamber cooperation, agricultural technology collaboration, and aviation partnerships – including a deal between Garuda Maintenance Facility and JAR Aviation Services valued at approximately USD 80 million.
Plans were also announced for a nickel processing facility in the Philippines, to be developed by Agro Investama Group with RBN Solutions Inc. and Ploutus Inc., with a supply commitment of at least 200,000 metric tons per month starting June 2026 to support the battery and electric vehicle supply chain.
PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer emphasized the broader significance of the partnership. “ASEAN will be strongest when acting as one. At the heart of this unity is the robust bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Philippines, representing nearly 400 million people,” he concluded.
This landmark cooperation signals a shift toward deeper integration of critical mineral industries in Southeast Asia, positioning the region as a key player in the global energy transition. ***
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