Semarang, C Java (ANTARA News) - PT Semen Gresik Tbk has expressed its commitment to maintaining its lead in the Indonesian cement market, with a share of 38-40 percent of national sales, according to the company's corporate secretary, Agung Wiharto.

"PT Semen Gresik is expected to sell a total of 22.5 million tonnes of cement, or around 38 percent of the national sales of 56.9 million tonnes," he said during an Iftar dinner here on Monday.

The company`s total sales figure comprises the sale of 6.4 million tonnes of cement from PT Semen Padang, 4.7 million tonnes from Semen Tonasa, and 11.4 million tonnes from Semen Gresik.

"Semen Padang and Tonasa are grouped with Semen Gresik, which sell their products in Sumatra and Sulawesi," Agung explained.

In a bid to maintain its national market share until 2016, PT Semen Gresik will increase its output by about 12.6 million tonnes. The Rembang cement factory in Central Java will contribute about 3 million tonnes per year, he added.

Previously, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan stated that the construction of Rembang cement factory, with a production capacity of 2-3 million tonnes per year, was scheduled to start by the end of 2012.

"Currently foreign investors control the majority share of the national cement industry," Agung pointed out, adding that more than 50 percent of PT Semen Gresik`s shares was controlled by the Indonesian government.

"In the near future, some foreign investors will construct cement factories in West Java, Central Java, West Papua and Kalimantan," he noted.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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