"The development of the tableware domestic ceramics industry is quite prospective, with domestic market growth and demands from global markets that continue to increase," the ministry's Inspector General Mohammad Rum remarked at the Exhibition of Ceramic Tableware and Glassware Industries' Products here on Wednesday.
The ministry recorded that the ceramic tableware industry's production capacity reached 253,796 tons annually, yet utilization in the first semester of 2024 was still below 50 percent.
Meanwhile, the national glassware industry has a production capacity of 286,380 tons per year, while the glass packaging industry has a production capacity of 403,679 tons annually, with soda-lime glass products still being the focus.
Rum noted that the Ministry of Industry had formulated various policies to boost the competitiveness of the two sectors.
One of the policies is the mandatory implementation of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for ceramic products, aimed at protecting the domestic industry from imported products as well as ensuring the local products in circulation meet quality standards.
Another policy that significantly impacts industrial competitiveness is the provision of industrial gas incentives through a specific natural gas price program (HGBT), with the price set at US$6.5 per million British thermal units (MMBTU).
This program has been proven to increase the competitiveness of the ceramics industry and generated a multiplier effect, especially in terms of production cost efficiency.
In addition, this policy has effectively stimulated investment and the construction of new factories in the ceramics and glassware industries.
He further underscored the need for these two sectors to exercise vigil against the entry of imported products.
Nevertheless, he believes that if each industry takes steps to improve by adopting new technology and increasing research and product development, it can remain competitive and boost export demand.
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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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