"We see oil and gas as a strategic sector. Beyond energy security, we are also talking about our penetration into the petrochemical industry," Pasaribu remarked at the Pertamina Investor Day here on Wednesday.
He noted that most petrochemical materials are derived from oil and gas.
Among the industries closely linked to petrochemicals and highlighted is the fertilizer industry, which primarily relies on ammonia as a raw material.
"Ammonia is gas-based, along with its derivatives such as methanol and others," he explained.
Hence, Pasaribu stressed that incoming investments should also target strategic projects that support downstreaming programs with highly competitive products.
"This is what we must manage together, so that the downstreaming process can result in derivative products that are already competitive," he remarked.
Earlier, he reported that investment realization in the second quarter of 2025 had reached Rp475 trillion, or US$29.1 billion, surpassing the first quarter figure of Rp465 trillion, or around US$28.5 billion.
Pasaribu expressed hope that investment realization in the third and fourth quarters would also meet the targets, despite global economic challenges that could impact investment flows.
At the same forum, President Director of state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, offered 19 projects worth a total of US$9.25 billion, or approximately Rp150 trillion, to potential investors and partners.
“There will be opportunities to engage with Pertamina’s subholdings and explore business cooperation in these 19 projects, worth US$9.25 billion,” he stated.
Pertamina is focusing on energy security-oriented businesses, as well as low-carbon and new technology projects.
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Translator: Putu, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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