Four State Institutions Launch Green Cars

Nusa Dua, Bali, Oct 4 (Antara) - The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, and the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) have launched bio-fuel environmentally friendly cars for the APEC Summit, said an official. "The government and businesses are working closely to ensure energy sustainability. Indonesia is committed to the continuation of sustainable development programmes," explained Wisnu Wardhana, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation`s Business Advisory Council (ABAC), at the launch of the environmentally friendly cars on Friday. He said delegates at the APEC Summit in Bali will use 100 eco-friendly buses, powered by a combination of palm oil fuel and electricity. Industry Minister MS Hidayat said the launch of environmentally friendly cars reflects the government`s commitment to the usage of green vehicles, starting from the APEC Summit in Bali. The green car movement is also expected to reduce oil imports and enhance the development of environmentally friendly fuels. "The programme can also safeguard the state because it will reduce fuel oil consumption and economise the country`s foreign exchange reserves," noted the minister. BKPM Chairman Mahendra Siregar shared the minister`s view that the usage of bio-energy would reduce the nation`s dependence on oil imports. For this purpose, fuel subsidy must be reduced so that the state`s current account can be enhanced. "Fuel subsidy should be reduced. Bio-fuel should be developed to reduce dependence on the subsidy. We should be self-reliant," he added. In the meantime, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan predicted that Indonesia would be able to produce 50 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) by 2030. With that volume, global demand for CPO is predicted to saturate, allowing Indonesia to use its eco-friendly CPO as a source of bio-fuel. The launch of the environmentally friendly cars was directly conducted by Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Finance Minister Chatib Basri, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, BKPM Chief Mahendra Siregar, President Director of state-owned oil and gas Pertamina Karen Agustiawan, ABAC Chairman Wisnu Wardhana, President Director of Bank BNI Gatot M Suwondo, and Entrepreneur Anindya Bakarie. The government said last month, it was ready to launch the environmentally friendly vehicles system or the low-cost green car (LCGC) by inviting foreign automotive investors. "Indonesia is ready to implement the LCGC system, and is expected to invite foreign investors to participate in the green car scheme," said Budi Darmadi, Director General of Industry Leading Technology-Based at the Ministry of Industry. The issue was raised during the 1st APEC-AD (Automotive Dialogue) Workshop for the 8th Indonesia International Automotive Conference. The government invited a number of stakeholders to discuss the environmentally friendly cars programme. The event was attended by a number of automobile related institutions and vehicle associations from various countries, namely Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, India, and the United States. Chairman of the Association for Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo) Jongkie Sugiarto said the Indonesian market is open to the idea of an environmentally friendly cars programme because domestic car sales can surpass one million units per year. "Sales exceeding one million per year could stimulate the Indonesian market," he said.