Speaking at the Indonesia Economic Outlook 2026 held at Wisma Danantara in Jakarta, Bahlil said banning raw mineral exports would help accelerate downstream investment, similar to developments in the country’s nickel industry.
“Last year we banned bauxite exports, and next year we are reviewing several other commodities,” he said.
In his presentation, Bahlil highlighted the impact of downstream policies on the added value of nickel products.
In 2017, exports of processed nickel products were valued at US$3.3 billion. After the nickel export ban was imposed in 2020, exports of processed nickel products rose to US$33.9 billion by 2024.
“You are welcome to invest in our country. Our nation was colonized by the Dutch for three and a half centuries, and that is enough,” he said.
Encouraged by the progress in nickel downstreaming, he aims to replicate the model across other mining commodities.
Bahlil, who also chairs the government’s Downstreaming Task Force, said 18 priority downstream and energy security projects had been submitted to state asset manager Danantara, led by Chief Executive Rosan Roeslani.
“There are 18 commodities we have submitted as part of the Downstreaming Task Force, and he will follow up on them over the next two to three months. We are also preparing several additional commodities to advance,” Bahlil said.
In July 2025, he submitted pre-feasibility study documents for 18 priority downstream and national energy security projects to Danantara.
In February 2026, six of the 18 downstream projects entered the construction phase, marked by groundbreaking ceremonies. Several additional downstream projects beyond the 18 government priorities have also been prepared.
“We have also developed several additional downstream programs, because what we are pursuing is ensuring that domestic needs — which we have long relied on imports for — can be produced locally, while also generating added value,” Bahlil said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
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Translator: Putu Indah, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
