Business

Nickel talks: Indonesia’s president meets Elon Musk

Published

2 years ago

15/05/2022

MNN

President Widodo met with Tesla’s CEO Musk for a possible deal on a nickel source. Jakarta for years has been trying to secure a deal with Tesla on battery investment and potentially for Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk in Texas to discuss potential investments and technology, Indonesia’s government said in a statement.

Saturday’s meeting between Musk and Widodo, better known as Jokowi, came after a round of working-level discussions on a potential investment in Indonesia’s nickel industry and supply of batteries for electric vehicles, Indonesian officials told Reuters news agency.

Representatives from Tesla were in Indonesia last week for meetings regarding a potential battery-related investment, Indonesian officials and two people familiar with the talks have said.

Tesla had no immediate comment.

Indonesia for years has been trying to secure a deal with Tesla on battery investment and potentially for Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company.

‘Hopefully in November’

Jokowi traveled from Washington, where he attended a meeting of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to meet Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. He invited the billionaire to visit Indonesia in November.

Jokowi is to host a summit of the Group of 20 big economies in Bali in November. “Hopefully in November,” the Indonesian government quoted Musk as saying.

Musk said there could be room for “partnerships in many things, because Indonesia has a lot of potential”, the statement said.

Indonesia has the world’s biggest nickel reserves, and Jokowi is keen to develop a nickel-based EV industry at home: from making nickel metal, to producing battery components and assembling electric vehicles. In the past, he has also urged Musk to consider a rocket launch site in Indonesia.

Two deals over the past month have given new momentum to Jokowi’s push to develop an EV-related industry at a time when global automakers have been scrambling to secure supplies of battery materials and reduce their reliance on China.

A consortium led by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd , the global No. 2 maker of EV batteries, announced plans last month to invest $9 billion in Indonesia as part of a deal that would include everything from nickel refining to producing battery cells in Indonesia.

LG’s larger rival, China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology, a Tesla supplier, announced a $9-billion Indonesia investment in April.

Source: TRT World

Business

Maldives records USD 802.2 million in first four months

Published

15 hours ago

19/05/2024

The Ministry of Finance has disclosed that the state received USD 802.2 million in revenue during the first four months of this year, marking a significant 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

This revenue breakdown comprises USD 660 million in tax revenue, USD 129.4 million in non-tax revenue, and USD 5 million in aid to administration.

Tax revenue is primarily derived from Import Duty, Business and Property Tax (BPT), and Goods and Service Tax (GST), with figures as follows:

– Import Duty: USD 60.3 million
– BPT: USD 168.2 million
– GST: USD 375.2 million
– Green Tax: USD 27 million
– Airport Service Charge and Departure Tax: USD 25.1 million

Moreover, financial data indicates that the current administration has notably reduced overall expenses compared to the previous year.

Total government expenditures for the first four months of this year stand at USD 925.1 million, a significant decrease from last year’s USD 1.04 billion. This includes USD 724.6 million in recurrent expenses and USD 194.1 million in capital expenditure. Recurrent expenses prominently consist of USD 284.7 million in salaries and allowances and USD 433.4 million in administrative expenses, while capital expenditures primarily involve infrastructural development projects.

Source(s): PsmNews

Business

CWEIC office to establish in Maldives, Janah as Chair

Published

3 days ago

16/05/2024

Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has announced decision to establish its office in the Maldives, and appoint President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Principal Advisor Mohamed Ali Janah as its Country Chair.

CWEIC in a statement on Thursday, said the office will be established to connect the Maldives government with international investors and businesses.

The Maldives hub office of CWEIC will play a vital role in seeking prospective investment opportunities from all 56-member nations of the Commonwealth. The office will also enhance strategic alliances and partnerships between these countries and the Maldivian government.

Veteran entrepreneur, Janah boasts of over 30 years of business relations with the Middle East.

Source(s): sun.mv

Business

Dubai company awarded the development of SEZ

Published

1 week ago

12/05/2024

An agreement has been signed by the Maldivian administration with UAE’s International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) to develop Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the Maldives.

The agreement, officially co-signed by Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed and IFZA Chairman Martin Gregers Pedersen during a special ceremony, marks a significant milestone in economic development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Saeed emphasized the timeline for finalizing the agreement, committing to reach a consensus within the next four months. As part of the agreement, Fonadhoo in Kaafu Atoll will be transformed into a financial hub, featuring a new financial center and a bridge connecting Male’ and Hulhule. IFZA will bear the expenses for these developments.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade further highlighted plans for the Economic Gateway project in Ihavandhippolhu, aiming to attract investors with IFZA’s expertise. Addressing the attendees, Chairman Pedersen expressed confidence in the success of the project, underscoring collaborations with investors to further enhance opportunities in the Maldives.

The development of SEZs remarkably aligns with the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to diversify the economy and stimulate financial growth. The Maldivian administration is optimistic about attracting future investments and positioning the country as a desirable destination for business opportunities.

Source(s): PsmNews