JAKARTA - The domestic manufacturing industry is still recording positive performance in several of its sub-sectors despite conditions of economic pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, there were several sub-sectors that consistently contributed and supported manufacturing growth figures.
"Indeed, annually the non-oil and gas processing industry has contracted by 2.22%. However, if we compare it to the previous quarter (q-to-q), I see that there is already a positive trend and industrial growth has rebounded,” said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta, Monday (8/2).
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the base metal industry grew 11.46 percent with increasing foreign demand. Then the chemical, pharmaceutical and traditional medicine industries grew by 8.45 percent, mainly supported by increased domestic demand for soap, hand sanitizers and disinfectants as well as increased production of medicines, multivitamins and food supplements.
Furthermore, the food and beverage industry grew 1.66 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. According to Agus, this sector is one of the sectors that was in high demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because, people need to consume quality intake to maintain health.
In the fourth quarter of last year, car production reached 206,937 units, an increase of 82.21 percent from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, wholesale car sales or sales to dealer reached 159,981 units, or an increase of 43.98 percent (q-to-q). Meanwhile, the cement industry recorded cement production of 18.53 million tons, an increase of 2.91 percent (q-to-q). (LM)