Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announced that since its establishment in 2019, the Kendal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has attracted investments amounting to IDR 55 trillion. This investment has created over 49,000 jobs and engaged 105 businesses to invest in the area. "Kendal SEZ, along with other regions on the North Coast of Java, has become a key economic infrastructure in Java, contributing 57% to the national economy," said Airlangga during the inauguration of PT Indonesia BTR New Energy Material's lithium battery anode factory in Kendal, Central Java, on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. He highlighted that the North Coast of Java, with a population of around 50 million, contributes approximately 20.7% to the national GDP. Airlangga reported to President Joko Widodo that the government has established a total of 22 SEZs across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua. As of the first half of 2024, these SEZs have attracted investments worth IDR 205.2 trillion, creating 132,227 jobs.
On this occasion, President Jokowi inaugurated the lithium battery anode factory in Kendal SEZ, which is expected to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Indonesia. "With bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially inaugurated PT Indonesia BTR New Energy Material's lithium battery anode factory in Kendal, Central Java," stated President Jokowi. The President praised the rapid construction of the factory's first phase, completed in 10 months following the signing of a cooperation agreement in Beijing, China, in October 2023. He noted that while the natural graphite for the anodes is imported from Africa, artificial graphite is sourced from Pertamina's refinery in Riau. Additionally, Indonesia still imports lithium from Australia. The swift development and significant investments in Kendal SEZ underscore Indonesia's commitment to enhancing its industrial capabilities and supporting sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure projects.
