Jakarta (ANTARA) – Despite the recent trade agreement, Indonesia has retained its policy requiring investment and downstreaming processes for critical minerals exported to the United States, according to Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Todotua Pasaribu.”In principle, we do not find any issues with the US request for access to our minerals, including rare earths,” he remarked during an event disseminating a government regulation in Jakarta on Thursday.He affirmed that the Indonesian government would remain firm on domestic provisions banning exports of raw, unprocessed minerals, stressing the need for foreign parties to place capital in downstreaming processes in Indonesia.”Those eyeing our mineral sector must invest in processing, as our law forbids exports of raw products. In short, securing access to minerals requires processing, downstreaming, and investment,” Pasaribu affirmed.He explained that the arrangement is intended to promote equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, describing it as normal businesstobusiness affairs.Furthermore, he highlighted the government’s target of attracting up to Rp13,000 trillion (US$1 = 16,700) in investment to support downstreaming processes in priority sectors over the next five years, noting that a roadmap has been prepared for 28 strategic commodities with strong investment potential.Pasaribu argued that the downstreaming policy is intended to spur significant growth and encourage domestic processing of Indonesia’s natural resources, with the ultimate goal of boosting their value and strengthening the national industrial ecosystem.He added that the approach is not limited to the United States, citing other key trading partners such as Japan, China, South Korea, and European countries. “It’s equal trade,” he said.Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia earlier made similar remarks, assuring the public that Indonesia’s critical minerals remain protected under the downstreaming policy following the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States.In a statement released on Saturday (Feb. 21), he described the stance as proof of Indonesia’s determination to strengthen its bargaining power amid rising demand for critical minerals globally.