16 Aug

BATAM, August 17, 2025 – Every year on August 17, the red and white flag waves proudly in every corner of the nation. Streets are lined with banners and pennants, while the sound of Indonesia Raya echoes from schools to city squares. Independence Day is more than just a date on the calendar — it is a living moment, a tribute to the heroes who fought for freedom, and a celebration of a nation that now stands united, democratic, and diverse.

Beyond the official parades and state ceremonies, the spirit of independence thrives in the heart of the people. There’s laughter in the cracker-eating contest, determination in the sack race, and pride in wearing the Garuda Pancasila emblem. These moments speak a universal language of unity understood by every Indonesian.

Balap Karung (Sack Race) – Leaping Through History
It may seem simple: jump inside a sack toward the finish line. Yet for many Indonesians, this game is a treasured childhood memory.

Born in the post-war era, it reflects resilience — moving forward despite limitations, falling yet rising again, always lifted by the cheers of the community. Its lessons are clear: perseverance, togetherness, and equality for all who join.

Lomba Makan Kerupuk (Cracker-Eating-Contest) – Joy in Simple Traditions
Crackers hang on strings, hands clasped behind backs, mouths reaching with laughter. Simple, yet beautiful.

This game teaches that happiness needs no luxury. From children to elders, from villages to cities, everyone can join — united in joy.

Indonesia Raya – The Song That Unites
No Independence Day is complete without Indonesia Raya. Sung with hands on hearts, it stirs emotion and unity. First performed in 1928, it became the anthem of the independence movement. Today, each verse remains a vow of loyalty to the land, history, and future of the nation.

Merah Putih (The Red and White) – Stitched with Sacrifice
Indonesia’s first flag was hand-stitched by Fatmawati, wife of President Soekarno, using simple cotton fabric. Red symbolizes courage, white symbolizes purity. First raised on August 17, 1945, it stood as a testament to bravery against colonial rule. Every raising of the flag honors the sacrifices of our heroes.

Garuda Pancasila – Symbol of Unity and Strength
With outstretched wings and a firm gaze, the Garuda Pancasila holds the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — “Unity in Diversity.”

Its shield bears the five principles of Pancasila, the moral and social foundation of the nation, reminding us that diversity is strength and unity is the key to moving forward:

• Belief in One Supreme God – The Star: A shared spiritual and moral foundation
• Just and Civilized Humanity – The Chain: Human connection and social justice
• The Unity of Indonesia – The Banyan Tree: Pluralism within unity
• Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom of Deliberations among Representatives – The Bull’s Head: Deliberative democracy
• Social Justice for All the People of Indonesia – Rice and Cotton: Prosperity and equitable welfare

More Than Just a Celebration
Independence Day is laughter, pride, and gratitude that connect Indonesians from villages to cities. It is a legacy we protect for a better future.

Happy 80th Independence Day, Republic of Indonesia!
From Tunas Industrial: “United, Striving, Advancing for a Greater Indonesia” — a spirit we carry to keep building, innovating, and contributing to our beloved nation.

16 Aug

Batam, 16 August 2025 – Since the early post-independence years, through political upheavals, economic crises, and global shocks, Indonesia’s industrial sector has evolved into a key driver of national growth. This transformation stems from strategic investments, structural reforms, and the realization that a strong industry is the foundation of resilience.

A Journey Toward Industrialization

Indonesia’s industrial journey began modestly. In the early 1960s, manufacturing contributed less than 10% of GDP, with the government focusing mainly on rebuilding colonial-era infrastructure.

During the New Order era, policies shifted decisively toward industrialization and export orientation. By 1997, manufacturing contributed 25% of GDP, with more than half of exports coming from manufactured goods—fueled by deregulation, infrastructure development, and capital accumulation.

The oil crisis of the 1980s pushed further reforms, driving the growth of labor-intensive industries such as textiles, footwear, and electronics. By the late 20th century, Indonesia had become a competitive global production hub.

The post-1998 reform era brought new challenges and opportunities—economic liberalization, technology adoption, and global market diversification—compelling industries to adapt and compete internationally.

Industry as a Modern Economic Pillar

Today, manufacturing remains a vital pillar of Indonesia’s economy. In 2024, the sector contributed 18.5% of GDP and employed around 18 million workers (14% of the labor force). Other estimates put the figure above 21 million, making it the third-largest employer after agriculture and automotive services.

Key subsectors include food and beverages (32% of manufacturing GDP), basic metals (9%), textiles (7%), and automotive components (6%). Food and beverages, in particular, continue to grow steadily despite global economic volatility.

The Numbers Behind the Progress

In 2024, manufacturing’s contribution to GDP reached 18.98%—higher than the global average of 15.3% and surpassing countries such as India, Italy, Brazil, and Germany.

The sector also attracted IDR 721.3 trillion in investment, accounting for 42.1% of total national investment. The Manufacturing PMI has consistently stayed above 51.0 since 2024, signaling continued expansion.

Despite headwinds—such as a 6.95% year-on-year decline in FDI in Q2 2025—total investment still created over 665,000 new jobs. Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.1% in Q2 2025, showing resilience amid slowing household consumption and middle-class pressures.

Batam: A Regional Industrial Success Story

Batam exemplifies how regional industrial hubs can accelerate national growth. Strategically located near Singapore, Batam has developed into a base for electronics, shipbuilding, and medium-to-high technology manufacturing.

In 2025, BP Batam set an investment target of IDR 60 trillion. By mid-year, realized investment reached IDR 33.72 trillion, or 56.2% of the target—an increase of nearly 65% compared to the same period in 2024. This momentum aligns with Indonesia’s industrialization agenda and demonstrates the power of regional hubs to drive national progress.

Downstreaming as an Economic Strategy

A cornerstone of Indonesia’s industrial policy is downstream processing. Nowhere is this clearer than in nickel: exports of processed nickel products surged from USD 1.4 billion in 2014 to nearly USD 61 billion in 2024, making Indonesia the world’s leading player.

Policies such as the 2020 Mineral and Coal Law and domestic processing requirements have spurred the development of integrated industrial zones in Morowali and Weda Bay, creating jobs and regional growth.

These efforts align with the Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap and the Digital Industry Center (PIDI 4.0), aimed at technology adoption, workforce upskilling, and SME competitiveness in global markets.

Looking Ahead

Strengthening Indonesia’s industrial base is not just an economic agenda—it is a long-term national strategy.

In Batam, strategic industrial zones play a vital role. Among them, Tunas Prima Industrial Estate stands out as a catalyst for growth, offering world-class infrastructure, a strategic location near global trade routes, and facilities designed for efficient production and distribution.

With these advantages, Tunas Prima is not only an industrial hub but also a trusted business expansion partner for investors seeking growth opportunities in Indonesia. Through the synergy of competitive industrial zones and pro-industry policies, Indonesia is poised to secure its place as a resilient economic power on the global stage.

15 Aug

CLOU Strengthens Investment in Batam with Groundbreaking Ceremony of Smart Energy Plant, Supporting Industrial Downstreaming and Indonesia’s Export Growth

Batam, August 14, 2025 – CLOU Electronics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Midea Group and a global energy technology company based in Shenzhen, China, today held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plant at Tunas Prima Industrial Estate, Batam. The facility will be operated by PT Klou Teknologi Indonesia, focusing on packaging and system integration for Energy Storage System (ESS) solutions.

Under the theme “Smarter Storage, Greener Future”, the inauguration marks a strategic move for CLOU to expand its global operations, strengthen industrial downstreaming, and bring manufacturing services closer to the fast-growing Southeast Asian market.

The ceremony was attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Trade Dr. Budi Santoso, Governor of Riau Islands Province H. Ansar Ahmad, and senior representatives of BP Batam, all of whom expressed strong support for advancing clean energy investment in Indonesia.

“This plant will support Indonesia’s renewable energy mix target, create high-tech job opportunities, and expand export potential of smart energy products to the global market,” said Minister Budi Santoso. Governor Ansar Ahmad emphasized that the investment aligns with Batam’s vision as a competitive global green industry hub.

Looking Back: Factory Handover & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Today’s groundbreaking follows CLOU’s earlier expansion milestone, the Factory Handover & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 25, 2025, where CLOU President Aaron Li inaugurated the initial production stage at Building #15 Tunas Prima and introduced the Aqua C2.5 – a liquid-cooled battery storage system designed for high efficiency and long-term stability. The facility is equipped with advanced industrial flooring, integrated safety systems, and a power layout supporting up to 4 GWh annual capacity, expected to be fully operational by early 2026.

Driving Export and Green Energy

According to Zhi Shuai, COO & HR Director of PT Klou Teknologi Indonesia, the Batam plant will serve as Midea’s key manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. “Equipped with advanced production lines, the facility will not only serve the Indonesian market but also export to ASEAN, the United States, and Europe—strengthening regional trade and supporting renewable energy transition,” he said.

Minister Budi further underlined that the global clean energy trend provides Indonesia with a unique opportunity to emerge as a key player in the global battery supply chain. “This investment is a milestone to strengthen national competitiveness in battery products. The government is fully committed to supporting PT Klou Teknologi Indonesia in entering export markets,” he added.

Tunas Prima: Partnering for a Sustainable Industry

Chrispin Andereas, Head of Business Development at Tunas Group, welcomed CLOU’s presence. “We believe CLOU will play a vital role in advancing smart energy industries in Batam. Tunas Prima is ready to be a long-term partner in supporting this green technology expansion,” he stated.

The Batam facility is designed to assemble large-scale battery systems and integrate smart energy storage solutions for industries, utilities, and smart grid applications. With PT Klou Teknologi Indonesia’s presence, the project is expected to generate new jobs, enable technology transfer, and contribute significantly to Indonesia’s clean energy ecosystem.

Aligned with the government’s target of 23% renewable energy mix by 2025, energy storage systems (ESS) stand as a critical enabler for balancing intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. Positioned as a green-oriented industrial estate, Tunas Prima Industrial Estate provides modern infrastructure with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency—making it the ideal partner for global companies like CLOU to develop sustainable business in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.