We want this country of ours to become a developed country
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The leaders selected by Indonesian voters in 2024 would determine the nation’s chances of becoming a developed country, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said.

"To our beloved public figures, religious figures, kyais (Islamic leaders), I have often said that future leader is truly a determinant. (The general elections) in 2024, 2029, 2034, are very much so determining factors. Once we choose the right one, this state, God willing, will become a developed country," the President said in Gresik, East Java, on Tuesday.

He delivered the statement during the groundbreaking ceremony for PT Hailiang Nova Material Indonesia's tinfoil factory construction project in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) Industrial Complex.

"If we (choose) wrong, (we will be like the) Latin American countries. In the 60s, 70s, they became developing countries, but until now, they have remained developing countries, and we do not want to be like that. We want this country of ours to become a developed country," Widodo said.

He informed that the Gresik factory's construction is set for completion in the coming year.

"Hopefully, before 12 months, this factory can be completed and start its production, so it can garner workforce, give employment opportunities to people in East Java province, particularly Gresik district, and we hope that this can motivate our country to become a developed country," he added.

The head of state said that the factory will process tin from PT Freeport Indonesia to create products that can be utilized for manufacturing lithium batteries, electric vehicle batteries, or even electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the tinfoil factory is the first of its kind in Indonesia.

"With the largest capacity in Southeast Asia. We successfully beat Vietnam, Mexico, the United States, and Hungary in choosing this location," he added.

The minister said that Indonesia's current investment competitiveness is considered high in the global market.

The value of investment in the tinfoil factory is capped at US$860 million, and the factory will have a processing capacity of 100 thousand tons, he informed.

"In which raw material of tin cathodes is from Freeport smelter built next to this factory. The target for commercial operation is set for May 2024, concurrently with the completion of the Freeport smelter. So, this Freeport smelter project must not stagnate," Pandjaitan stressed.

From the groundbreaking to the commercial operation phase, the work will be finished in less than 12 months, he said.

"This will become the global record of fastest tin project development, which also shows the reputation of national investment," he remarked.

Chairperson of the board of Hailian group, Cao Jianguo, said that his company has decided to invest US$860 million to establish the first tinfoil manufacturing company outside China.

"We will become the first tinfoil manufacturing company in Indonesia, and also the largest tinfoil manufacturer in Southeast Asia," he added.

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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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