Jokowi: There are developed countries that don't want to see developing countries become advanced
President Joko Widodo said there are developed countries that don't want developing countries to become developed.
This was conveyed by the President in an upload on his official Twitter account @jokowi on Saturday (3/12/2022).
At first, Jokowi explained about Indonesia's position on stopping nickel exports.
According to the Head of State, the cessation of exports of nickel and other raw materials is aimed at boosting the downstream industry.
As a result of this policy, Indonesia was sued by the European Union at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Indonesia lost the lawsuit.
However, Indonesia is still submitting an appeal. Jokowi also stressed that the downstreaming of raw materials was still on track.
He then explained about the attitude of developed countries and developing countries.
"All countries want to progress. Developed countries want to keep their countries progressing. Developing countries are trying to become developed countries," said Jokowi.
"There are also developed countries that don't want to see developing countries become developed countries. Whatever the challenges, Indonesia is still moving forward to become a developed country," he continued.
Previously, in his presentation at the State Palace on Friday (2/12/2022) President Jokowi said that Indonesia did not need to feel hurt when it lost to the European Union in a nickel export lawsuit.
According to the President, losing a lawsuit is a human thing. Indonesia must continue to pursue the next legal steps.
"We don't need to be hurt. Endak. We are trying to achieve our vision to become a developed country," said Jokowi.
"Once again, we don't need to be discouraged, we don't need to be afraid of losing being sued by the European Union, then we lose, then we withdraw. Endak. Later, there will be a second round again, we want to do it," he stressed.
Jokowi reminded that Indonesia wants to become a developed country so that further legal steps are part of maintaining itself to remain a developed country.
"That's for sure. And also they (developed countries) will not be willing either that there are developing countries that are advanced, become developed countries, also many are not willing," he added.
On a previous occasion, Jokowi had explained, several years ago when Indonesia was still exporting nickel in the form of raw materials, the value only reached 1.1 billion United States (US) dollars.
After the government has a smelter, the export of nickel in the form of raw materials is stopped.
As a result, in 2021 nickel exports will jump 18 times to US$20.8 billion or the equivalent of more than IDR 300 trillion.
These conditions helped support Indonesia's trade balance to be a surplus for 30 consecutive months.