We will guard the production of critical industries to meet the demand from domestic and export markets. In fact, (the critical industries) are playing a crucial role in boosting national economic recoveryJakarta (ANTARA) - Critical sectors are playing a crucial role in reviving the national economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Industry Ministry has said.
“We will guard the production of critical industries to meet the demand from domestic and export markets. In fact, (the critical industries) are playing a crucial role in boosting national economic recovery,” acting director general of agro industry at the Industry Ministry, Putu Juli Ardika, said in a written statement released on Friday.
Nearly 70 percent of companies engaged in the agro industry are categorized as critical sectors, he noted.
He said one of the critical sectors that the Industry Ministry has spurred is the sugar industry. Demand for sugar has continued to increase, both for direct consumption and as raw materials for industries, he added.
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“The national sugar demand currently stands at 6 million tons per year, comprising 2.7-2.9 million tons for (direct) consumption and 3-3.2 million tons for industries,” he informed.
Meanwhile, the production of sugar for direct consumption (white crystal sugar) has reached 2.1-2.2 million tons and for industries (refined crystal sugar) 3-3.2 million tons, he said.
Hence, the Industry Ministry is focusing on developing domestic sugar industries to make them more productive and competitive, Ardika said. In addition, it is encouraging the development of new sugar mills integrated with sugarcane plantations, he added.
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At present, Indonesia has 62 sugarcane-based sugar mills, with the national installed capacity pegged at 316,950 tons of sugar per day (TCD), he noted. If all the sugar mills operate optimally and efficiently, the national sugar production will reach an estimated 3.5 million tons per year, he added.
“This means that we will be able to meet sugar demand for (direct) consumption ourselves,” he said.
To monitor the activities of sugar industries amid the enforcement of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Ardika visited Tangkil sugar mill in Pati district, Central Java, to ensure that it is adhering to the health protocols, in accordance with the Industry Minister’s Circular No. 3 of 2021.
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Translator: Sella PG, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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