TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially inaugurated the all-Indonesian car factory and production and infrastructure facilities of PT Solo Manufaktur Kreasi or popularly known as Esemka in Boyolali, Central Java, on Friday, September 6.

The president said the existence of the factory was the Indonesian brand’s initial step to ascend to the manufacturing level and develop the local automotive industry.

“Esemka vehicles are Indonesia’s brand and principle. This is our own brand that was pioneered in roughly the past ten years by technicians and vocational school students,” said the president in a written statement today.

Jokowi said his inaugurating the factory was a gesture of his personal support towards the development of the national automotive industry.

He also mentioned that the existence of the Esemka would surely bring positive effects to Boyolali and other Indonesian small-to-medium industries, as the car manufacturer has already established a partnership with a number of local automotive part providers. He added the Esemka plant would also provide job opportunities for workers in its vicinity.

However, President Jokowi acknowledged that Esemka would face challenges in the future, but he lauded the level of determination the company has shown to reach this early stage.

EGI ADYATAMA