[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Tesla Motors has signed a $5 billion nickel purchase agreement with Indonesia, according to major foreign media reports on the 8th (local time).
On the same day, Luhut Panjaitan, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, said in an interview with CNBC Indonesia, "Indonesia is continuously in discussions with Tesla," adding, "Tesla started transactions with Indonesia by purchasing two excellent products." Minister Panjaitan stated that Tesla signed a five-year contract with nickel processing companies in the Morowali region of Sulawesi Island.
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is rich in resources, especially holding the world's largest nickel reserves and production volume. With the advent of the electric vehicle era, demand for nickel, a key battery material, is increasing, and accordingly, the Indonesian government is restricting nickel exports while working to develop related industries.
Indonesia has made efforts to attract Tesla to increase nickel production. Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, earlier this year to attract investment. The Indonesian government aims not only to supply raw materials like nickel but also to develop the electric vehicle and battery industries.
Earlier this year, Tesla signed a nickel supply contract with Brazilian mining company Vale.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
