Jakarta — Efforts to strengthen downstreaming in various sectors have again received concrete support through a strategic partnership between the Industrial Estate Association (HKI), the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendikti Saintek).
HKI Chairman Akhmad Ma’ruf Maulana emphasized that this collaboration is a concrete step in realizing Astacita to encourage national economic independence, sustainability, and acceleration of technological innovation as pillars of growth.
“Through this collaboration, HKI plays an active role as a bridge between the industrial sector and educational institutions and the government, to create new competitiveness based on knowledge and innovation,” he said.
This collaboration includes aligning industrial curricula with business needs, research and innovation collaboration to accelerate national downstreaming, and increasing investment competitiveness through the creation of superior human resources.
HKI is optimistic that it can drive economic growth of up to 8 percent in the next five years, provided that investment licensing is optimally accelerated.
“As long as all incoming investment, whether through industrial estates, National Strategic Projects (PSN), or Special Economic Zones (SEZs), can be encouraged and the licensing process expedited,” Ma’ruf said.
Special Staff to the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Sona Maesana, explained that downstreaming is not just about heavy industry or a ban on raw material exports, but rather about added value, economic independence, job creation, and the future direction of the nation.
“Sustainable downstreaming can only occur if there is a healthy investment ecosystem and support for local entrepreneurs. The question is: who owns the added value? Is it only foreign companies enjoying high margins, or is there active participation from the nation’s youth?” he said.
According to Sona, downstreaming must create local jobs, involve SMEs in the supply chain, and encourage Indonesian entrepreneurs to move up the ranks through partnerships.
“The investment we’re pursuing isn’t fast, but one that grows alongside the local ecosystem,” he stressed.
Sona also sees the need for integration between local and foreign players, incentives for investors fostering local industries, and transparent regulations to minimize overlapping permitting requirements.
“Speed and certainty of licensing are far more important than mere investment commitment figures,” he added.
He added that downstreaming must reach the digital, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and creative sectors.
“That’s what sustainable downstreaming is all about. We need cross-sector collaboration, the courage to build, and consistent direction,” he concluded.
With the synergy of government policies, industry support, and the involvement of the younger generation, downstreaming is projected to be a long road towards economic independence and equitable distribution of development benefits for all Indonesians.