Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) for North Sumatra Suharno said here on Monday the value of iron and steel imports increased this year, driven by higher volumes and prices.
In May, for example, iron and steel import values rose 19.09 percent from April to 20.729 million U.S. dollars.
The Iron and steel imports were shipped from China whose volumes had been on the rise in line with the improvement of property business.
Chairman of Real Estate Indonesia (REI) for North Sumatra, Tommy Wistan, said the property business was quite good this year, so that the demand for building materials, including iron and steel increased.
The improvement in the property business in North Sumatra was caused by the relatively big need and stable credit interest rates.
He also acknowledged that the iron and steel products used by developers were mostly imported ones because domestic supply was not enough.
"All the importers need is good quality. Imports have been required to meet the Indonesian National quality Standard (SNI)," he said.
(Uu.A014/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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