Indonesia’s Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, attended the 12th Annual Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Festival held at Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. During the visit, he expressed appreciation for the international event, which highlights Turkey’s technological progress and offers a science and technology competition platform for youth, including participants from Indonesia.

“We deeply appreciate the Indonesian delegates who took part in the science and technology competitions at Teknofest. This event is a golden opportunity to gain knowledge and serves as motivation for Indonesian youth to be more active in domestic research and development (R&D),” said Minister Agus in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday, September 22.

Minister Agus described Teknofest 2025 as an excellent learning space for young Indonesian researchers. “By witnessing innovations and achievements in science and technology firsthand, participants are expected to be more driven to conduct research and create technologies that bring pride to the nation,” he stated.

He emphasized that the essence of Teknofest lies in fostering national pride among Turkish citizens for their achievements in science and technology. “If Indonesians, especially the younger generation, take pride in their own scientific and technological creations, we will have a strong drive to continue innovating. This is the spirit I saw at Teknofest, and it is what we want to instill in Indonesia,” he explained.

Lessons from Turkey’s Science and Technology Ecosystem

According to Minister Agus, Turkey’s goal in organizing the festival is not merely business transactions but also introducing scientific and technological developments to the public, particularly the younger generation. This exposure builds pride among Turkish youth in their nation’s technological achievements.

He noted that Turkey’s approach of establishing science and technology centers in each province should serve as a model for Indonesia. These centers create healthy competition among regions in producing new technologies.

“This is an inspiration for us in Indonesia. The Turkish government realizes that the ecosystem of science, technology, and industry must be developed evenly. This creates a positive atmosphere for innovation. We can adapt this model to strengthen our domestic research and industrial ecosystem,” he said.

Expanding EV Battery Collaboration Between Indonesia and Turkey

Minister Agus also visited the booth of Aspilsan, a Turkish energy and battery technology company involved in developing electric vehicle solutions. This visit is relevant to Indonesia’s push to build a battery-based electric vehicle ecosystem as part of the national industrial transformation.

He highlighted the importance of cooperation in developing electric vehicle batteries for both civilian and military needs. Aspilsan, known for producing lithium-ion battery cells, has opened a path for collaboration with Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC). The company has a production capacity of 21.6 million units per year and may help strengthen Indonesia’s electric vehicle supply chain.

Electric vehicle numbers in Indonesia have risen sharply, from 116,000 units in 2023 to 207,000 in 2024. The national demand for EV battery materials has also increased significantly. This aligns with the recently inaugurated electric battery ecosystem project by President Prabowo Subianto, which carries an investment value of USD 5.9 billion or around IDR 96 trillion.

“Indonesia is ready to support collaboration with Turkey in the battery industry, through joint research, investment, or technology transfer, to strengthen the regional supply chain,” said Minister Agus.

PHOTO: KEMENPERIN

This article was created with AI assistance.