The visits aimed to oversee the EV makers’ ongoing investments in Indonesia, identify areas where the Indonesian government could support investment acceleration and facilitate the companies' long-term investment plans.

"President Prabowo [Subianto] has emphasized prioritizing investors already operating in Indonesia, and we are committed to maintaining that principle," minister Rosan said.

Discussions with BYD Auto

On the first day of his China visit, the investment minister met with executives from leading automotive company BYD Auto to discuss expediting the construction of its EV plant in Subang, West Java. Rosan expressed appreciation for BYD's ongoing investment in Indonesia.

"We believe this investment will not only add value and create jobs, but also align with Indonesia’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2060, or even sooner. Furthermore, the company sees Indonesia not only as a large market, but also as an export hub," he said.

BYD plans to increase production capacity from 150,000 units per year and explore battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) facilities by early next year. The expansion is expected to boost total employment from 8,700 to 18,814 workers. The plant aims to begin commercial production by early 2026.

Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, highlighted the short timeline of the project. "In China and Thailand, EV plant construction takes 10-16 months. With government support, we are confident we can complete the facility and begin production by early 2026," he said.

Rosan reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s commitment to supporting BYD’s investment through infrastructure development around the industrial zone, including toll roads and access to Patimban Port, as well as expediting permits and investment incentives.

BYD’s plant in Indonesia is set to be the largest automotive factory in Southeast Asia, with its facility expanding from 108 to 126 hectares. The Chinese automaker leads global EV production, and sold over 3 million units in 2023. Since entering the Indonesian market in early 2024, BYD has sold more than 13,800 units, contributing nearly 50 percent of the country’s monthly EV sales.

Engagement with CNGR New Material

The following day, minister Rosan visited the facility of CNGR New Material Co., Ltd. in Qinzhou, Guangxi. The discussion focused on CNGR’s investment progress in Indonesia and plans to establish the Konasara Green Techno Industrial Zone (KIHTK) in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, specializing in advanced materials production.

The industrial zone will integrate upstream and downstream operations. CNGR has already invested in several nickel smelter projects in Indonesia with a total investment of Rp 42.4 trillion (US$2.6 billion), employing 6,613 Indonesians.

“We are open to facilitating investments to ensure they can grow even further,” the investment minister said during his visit.

CNGR aims to attract global advanced material producers to the zone, which will process nickel, cobalt, manganese and other minerals for advanced energy materials and hydrogen. The zone will also host research and development facilities.

“This industrial zone will centralize the advanced material supply chain, enhancing efficiency and stability. It could become a one-of-a-kind facility globally, and Indonesia is the best location for this development,” said Deng Weiming, chairman of CNGR.

Rosan commended CNGR’s initiatives to develop human resources through training and higher education access for workers. The minister also expressed his hope that CNGR’s plans would strengthen Indonesia's downstream ecosystem in line with the Strategic Investment Roadmap.

Visit to BRUNP-CATL

Minister Rosan also visited the facilities of Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of CATL, in Foshan, Guangdong, as well as the CATL Ruiqing Battery Factory and CATL-Brunp Cathode Factory. The visit underscored the government’s commitment to expediting development of Indonesia’s EV battery ecosystem.

CATL, through the CBL consortium comprising CATL, Brunp and Lygend, is collaborating with Indonesian state-owned enterprises ANTAM and IBC to build an integrated EV battery ecosystem. The project encompasses mining, smelting, precursor and cathode material production, battery cells and recycling in East Halmahera, North Maluku, and Karawang, West Java, with a total investment of $6 billion (Rp 96 trillion).

“The government supports advancing EV battery ecosystem investments as part of the downstream industry transformation and green initiatives,” Rosan explained.

The integrated battery ecosystem is expected to position Indonesia as a key player in the global supply chain and foster a domestic EV industry with higher local content and more affordable prices. The project also encourages partnerships with local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capable of contributing to the supply chain.

Li Changdong, president of Brunp, emphasized the company’s commitment to accelerating the project.

“The immediate goal is for EV battery cells to begin production by 2026 to meet market demand. We are also interested in developing a battery recycling industry to secure critical mineral resources and ensure they can be processed and reproduced in Indonesia using green technology,” he said.

Founded in 2011, CATL has been the world’s leading EV battery supplier for seven consecutive years from 2017 to 2023, and holds 37 percent of the global market share. It ranked 292nd on the Fortune 500 list in 2023, with total assets of $101 billion (Rp 1.6 quadrillion).

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