VinFast expressed interest to invest in West Nusa Tenggara

Vietnamese automotive manufacturer VinFast has expressed interest in investment opportunities in West Nusa Tenggara Province. Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir revealed the plan, which was conveyed directly by VinFast Chief Executive Officer Pham Sanh Chau, after discussing it alongside West Nusa Tenggara Lalu Muhamad Iqbal on May 22, 2025.

The Deputy Foreign Minister stated that VinFast sees great potential for investing in West Nusa Tenggara, especially in the Lombok region.

"The VinFast CEO came directly to Lombok for initial exploration, [to find] what potential does Lombok have so VinFast can contribute through their investment," said Arrmanatha via a voice message received in Jakarta on May 22, 2025.

Arrmanatha gave his appreciation for VinFast's initiative to expand its investment outside Java after fostering an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Subang Regency, West Java province. The move, he noted, signals VinFast's commitment to develop the economic ecosystem of various regions in Indonesia beyond the EV industry.

Arrmanatha explained that VinFast's investment exploration in West Nusa Tenggara is also a follow-up to the meeting between Communist Party of Vietnam Secretary General To Lam and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta in early March.

He added that local governments must, as mandated by Prabowo, facilitate investment by reducing obstacles that could interfere with entrepreneurs' desire to invest so Indonesia becomes a country that is open to foreign investment.

"The Governor (Lalu) has also said that if there are [other] avenues for collaboration, regulations and other prerequisites will be prepared from the start to ensure that investment [could] run [smoothly]," said Arrmanatha.

However, he reminded local governments to ensure that investment opportunities entering their areas are in line with the vision and programs carried out for regional development.

Previously, Investment and Downstream Minister/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Rosan Roeslani stated on March 11, 2025 that VinFast has expressed interest in building a solar power plant in West Nusa Tenggara and a wind power plant in Sulawesi.