JAKARTA - The government continues to encourage the increase in added value of mineral raw materials in the country. This downstream policy is believed to be able to contribute significantly to the national economy, including through the achievement of export values.
"So, that’s the importance of the smelter industry role. So, we no longer export 'land and water' only, but have become a high-end product," said Director General of Defense, Regional and International Industrial Access (KPAII) of the Ministry of Industry, Dody Widodo in Jakarta, Friday (7/8) )
"Based on BPS data, in 2018 and 2019, the export value of nickel-based metal industrial products reached USD 4.8 billion and USD 7.08 billion, respectively, an increase of 47.5%," he said.
Seeing the potential role of the nickel smelter industry in the country, the Ministry of Industry expressed his appreciation for the establishment of the Indonesian Nickel Forum (FINI). Chairman of FINI Alexander Barus said that the forum has gathered 23 nickel smelter industries in Indonesia with a total installed capacity of 3.79 million metric tons of NPI per year and 0.8 million metric tons per year or nearly 90% of the national smelter capacity. (LM)