Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita met with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Ken Saito to discuss an agreement to enhance cooperation in the automotive sector. The meeting took place in Tokyo (06/21).
Agus appreciated Japanese automotive companies’ continued positive activities, including deepening the structure by involving small and medium industries in the automotive production ecosystem in Indonesia. He encouraged enhanced cooperation to develop the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia.
Furthermore, Agus also presented significant opportunities for the Japanese automotive industry to help fill the per capita consumption gap for automotive products. “Currently, the ratio of four-wheeled vehicle ownership in Indonesia is 99 cars per 1,000 people. I believe it can be pushed to reach 150 per 1,000 in a relatively short time. Therefore, I hope that Japanese car products can fill this gap,” Agus said in his written statement on June 21.
Indonesia as base for Japanese automotive production
Ken Saito acknowledged that Indonesia is an essential base for Japanese automotive production and exports. Japanese automotive companies’ investments in Indonesia benefit both countries. He conveyed, “We want to enhance cooperation to strengthen the automotive industry’s competitiveness in Indonesia. We support prompt discussions on more detailed cooperation at the director general level.”
On this occasion, Agus also addressed a crucial issue in the industry sector: competent human resources. He outlined a plan for industrial human resource exchanges between Indonesia and Japan to facilitate Indonesian industrial human resources receiving specific training in Japan. “When they return from Japan, they can also assist Japanese companies in Indonesia or build startups that can support the ecosystem of Japanese companies’ development in Indonesia,” Agus explained.
According to the Japan’s METI, the Japanese government focuses on human resource development in the automotive industry. “Human resource training is also important for the development of the next generation. Therefore, it is necessary to follow up on this plan in more detail,” he concluded. The two ministers are scheduled to meet again in August to discuss further industrial sector cooperation.
