Strengthening the national steel industry as a strategic resource means strengthening the Indonesian economy to become self-reliantJakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani commemorated the deeds of Indonesia's First President Soekarno (Bung Karno) during her visit to PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk in Cilegon, Banten, along with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Tuesday.
"Krakatau Steel is part of the Trikora Steel Project that was initiated by President Soekarno in 1960. At its groundbreaking in 1962, Krakatau Steel was originally named Cilegon Steel Mill, which then officially became operational on August 31, 1970," Maharani stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
According to the House speaker, the steel industry was the "mother of industries” since without the steel and iron industry, other processing industries would not be functional.
Maharani opined that Bung Karno understood this fact. Hence, in 1962, he initiated the construction of a steel factory in Cilegon.
"Strengthening the national steel industry as a strategic resource means strengthening the Indonesian economy to become self-reliant," she remarked.
The speaker listed Krakatau Steel's main products being hot-rolled steel, black iron plate or 'Hot Rolled Coil' and 'Hot Rolled Plate' that were exported to various countries, such as Malaysia, Australia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Maharani urged the government to immediately boost the competitiveness of the national steel industry in order to lower dependence on imported products.
She highlighted the importance of the steel industry, especially in the midst of incessant infrastructure development in Indonesia. PT Krakatau Steel was expected to meet the national steel requirements to support national infrastructure development.
"Krakatau Steel must be healthier and stronger as the backbone for development of our nation and country that is inching towards becoming Advanced Indonesia," she affirmed.
Maharani also reminded that the progress in the performance of Krakatau Steel should also be beneficial to the surrounding community in Cilegon and Banten.
In 2020, Krakatau Steel was able to earn Rp326 billion (almost US$23 million ) profit, and until July 2021, the national company recorded a net profit of Rp609 billion (almost US$43 million).
"This success must be achieved through efforts to improve the welfare of the Indonesian people, especially those around Krakatau Steel, such as in the form of increasing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds," she noted.
President Jokowi along with Maharani attended the inauguration of PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk's 2 Hot Strip Mill (HSM) Factory in Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday.
The president pressed a button and signed an inscription as a form of inaugurating the HSM 2 Krakatau Steel Factory.
During a visit to Krakatau Steel, Maharani along with President Jokowi and his entourage also visited the HSM 2 Factory. She also signed the first 1.4-mm coil in Indonesia.
President Jokowi was accompanied by the coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, investment minister/head of BKPM, state-owned enterprises minister, cabinet secretary minister, president director of PT. Krakatau Steel, and the Banten governor.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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