Government-Industry Synergy Accelerates Downstream Processing and Creates Superior Human Resources
Jakarta — Downstreaming has again received a strong boost through strategic cooperation between the Industrial Estate Association (HKI), the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendikti Saintek).
HKI Chairman Akhmad Ma’ruf Maulana called this step a concrete manifestation of Astacita in encouraging national economic independence, sustainability, and accelerating technological innovation.
“IPR 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 the curriculum with industry needs, research collaboration to accelerate downstreaming, and creating superior human resources by strengthening the industrial estate ecosystem. Ma’ruf is optimistic that the 8 percent economic growth target over the next five years can be achieved if investment licensing is accelerated.
“HKI is also optimistic that it can achieve economic growth of 8 percent in the next five years, provided that all incoming investment, whether through industrial estates, National Strategic Projects (PSN), or Special Economic Zones (SEZs), can be encouraged and the licensing process can be expedited by the relevant ministries and local governments,” he added.
Meanwhile, Special Staff to the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Sona Maesana, emphasized that downstreaming is not limited to heavy industry or a ban on the export of raw materials.
“Downstreaming is about added value, economic independence, job creation, and the future direction of the nation,” he explained.
Sona emphasized that building factories alone is not enough, so the active participation of the nation’s children in the supply chain is being continuously encouraged.
“The investment we’re pursuing isn’t fast-moving, but rather one that grows alongside the local ecosystem. The government today has a dual role: attracting investment and ensuring that it has a real impact on national development,” he stressed.
Sona notes that the language of investors and the language of government are often different.
“And the job of young people in the bureaucracy, like me, is to bridge the two. We need a new mindset in building relationships with investors: not just selling projects, but building long-term trust,” he added.
He emphasized 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.
He believes that Indonesia does not lack resources but rather needs the will to manage, the courage to build, and consistency to maintain direction.
