Jakarta. North Maluku, home to one of the world’s largest nickel mines, wants to make sure that its high growth is inclusive, among others, by involving more of its local businesses in feeding the industry workers.

The province saw the highest economic growth nationwide during the first quarter, soaring 19.64% year-on-year (yoy). Despite being home to major miners, most of the food needed at the sites came from neighboring regions. Only 20% of the food supplies are produced within the province. 

“The next question is not only how much growth we create. The real question is how much of that growth is felt by the local people,” North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda told a conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. 

“We expect more local businesses to enter the industrial supply chain: be it catering, logistics, maintenance, laundry, and even the safety equipment.”

To this end, the government is working on upgrading the province's agricultural and fishery infrastructure.  

She went on to say that the downstream industry “will only be truly successful when it creates not only gross domestic product (GDP), but higher household income, lower poverty, and lower unemployment.” 

Weda Bay Nickel -- the joint venture backed by Chinese steelmaker Tsingshan and French miner Eramet -- operates in the province. Weda Bay Nickel made up 17% of the global nickel production as of 2023.