Hipotex-R 2024 Officially Starts, Promoting Downstream as Vision

The Association of Profession and Interest in Economics and Development Studies (Hipotesa) IPB University, consistently holds Hipotex-R. This year is the 21st year Hipotex-R is held by presenting three series of activities, namely the Hipotex-R Competition, Hipotex-R Seminar, and Hipotex-R Appreciation Night.

On Saturday (7/9), The 21st Hipotex-R by Hipotesa IPB University National Seminar was successfully held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM), Dramaga Campus with the theme ‘Downstream Ambition 2045: Vision or Illusion?’

In this series, IPB University’s Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof Ernan Rustiadi was present. He delivered a keynote speech emphasising the importance of bridging research results from universities with industry needs to achieve effective downstreaming.

“It is not only about creating value-added products, but also ensuring that our research and innovation reach the industrial world,” said Prof Ernan.

This was reinforced by the presence of three speakers according to their respective sectors. Starting from the Government Sector, Tubagus Nugraha as Assistant Deputy for Mining, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment. 

“Technology transfer, strengthening skilled local labour, and compliance with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are priority aspects that we must pay attention to in this downstream journey,” explained Tubagus Nugraha. He emphasised the importance of strong economic diplomacy to cement Indonesia’s position in the global value chain.

The seminar continued to the Business Sector with a presentation by Al Jufri as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium. He explained about the downstreaming of the aluminium industry which is able to provide added value up to 15 times.

He also hoped that synergy could be established in the development of an integrated aluminium project with a target production capacity of 900 kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) by 2028 and 1,500 ktpa by 2030. According to him, this will contribute to the acceleration of the country’s economy.

Academic Sector was the last sector discussed in the Hipotex-R national seminar. In this session, Hipotesa invited Ahmad Heri Firdaus who is a Researcher of the Centre of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF). 

He explained that nickel downstreaming has shown a positive impact on exports and reducing unemployment. However, he said, there is currently no optimal absorption of local labour and there are still industrial areas that are trapped in poverty.

“One thing that is clear from this discussion is that downstreaming is not just about increasing economic added value, but also about creating a more independent and sustainable future for Indonesia. We must make this ambition a realisable vision, not just an illusion lost in time,” concluded Faris, the moderator.

The Hipotex-R 2024 National Seminar not only succeeded in opening the participants’ insights on the importance of downstreaming, but also emphasised the need for a joint commitment from all stakeholders – government, academics, and industry players – to realise sustainable economic growth for Indonesia in the future. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)