Indonesia Won’t Budge on Ore Export Ban, Jokowi Says 'Let Them Sue'
BY :JAYANTY NADA SHOFA
MARCH 11, 2022
Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said Thursday that the lawsuit launched by the European Union, or EU, would not stop Indonesia from banning ore exports.
The EU filed a complaint against Indonesia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the Southeast Asian country’s restriction on nickel ore export. Indonesia, however, remains unbothered by the EU’s disapproval and even plans to ban other ores aside from nickel.
“We got sued by the EU once we stopped nickel ore export. The [lawsuit] is still ongoing, but no problem. I have already instructed [my officials] that we will stop exporting bauxite this year. So we will get another lawsuit,” Jokowi said at the Open Session of the Academic Senate at Sebelas Maret University (UNS) in Surakarta, Central Java, on Friday.
“That is just one commodity. We still have copper, tin ores, plantation, and agricultural commodities. If we have the courage to stop [exporting them] one by one, we will be able to see those great numbers. It will create jobs, which is of paramount importance. The Finance Minister can collect the taxes,” the president added.
According to Jokowi, Indonesia told the G20 summit in Italy that it was indeed open if other countries wanted to set up the production right here in Indonesia.
“You can form a partnership with our state-owned or private enterprises. Or if you want to set up the industry by yourself, no worries, as long as it is in Indonesia,” Jokowi told the conference.
The raw ores that Indonesia exports can create an added value of 14-20-fold to the destination countries. The taxes and the job creation opportunities also go to these countries, according to Jokowi.
“And what do we get? They always try to scare us that they would file a WTO lawsuit. Just sue,” Jokowi said.
The president urges global investors to run productions plants in Indonesia rather than import raw materials from the country.
jakartaglobe.id