North Maluku Governor Reveals Nickel Downstreaming's Role in Boosting the Economy

North Maluku province recorded high economic growth throughout the first quarter of 2026 at 19.64% (yoy), supported by the production sector, specifically the industrial processing business field, which grew by 37.09%.

The Governor of North Maluku, Sherly Tjoanda Laos, stated that the downstreaming industry is a source of economic growth for North Maluku, particularly in the nickel sector. Currently, North Maluku’s position as part of the strategic development of new and renewable energy (EBT) industries is still in its early stages, meaning nickel downstreaming still has immense potential for significant growth.

Nickel downstreaming is capable of creating employment for the people of North Maluku, absorbing 100,000 workers, which in turn drives the property/residential sector as well as food and beverage SMEs. Moving forward, the North Maluku Provincial Government aims to enhance the capacity and capability of the local workforce to compete and meet the talent requirements of mineral downstreaming.

The North Maluku Provincial Government is also focusing on encouraging the improvement of the quality and facilities of healthcare services. Currently, several Type-C hospitals are being constructed so that 10 regencies/cities will have Type-C hospitals with complete facilities, although the issue of fulfilling doctor quotas remains a challenge.

On the other hand, North Maluku has the task of strengthening road and bridge connections, with a target of 550 kilometres of provincial roads before 2030, even though a total of 1,900 kilometres of regency roads also await completion.