Regarding The Sustainability Of The Cheap Gas Program, Minister Arifin: Continue Aja First

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has approved the extension of the HGBT program in a Limited Meeting on July 8, 2024.

In addition, a more in-depth study will also be carried out in the context of adding HGBT recipient sectors outside the seven industrial sectors that are currently receiving.

In this regard, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif has not been able to confirm how long this cheap gas policy will be implemented.

"Well, just go ahead first," said Arifin to the media crew when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Friday, July 12.

Arifin said, actually the low-cost gas policy brings various positive benefits for natural gas users and providers, including increasing industrial productivity and increasing from the tax side.

"So we see that the competitiveness of our products can be better so that entering the market is more accessible," he said.

Meanwhile, the Commercial Director of PT PGN Tbk Ratih Esti Prihatini admitted that he would support the government's policy in order to maintain business sustainability and industrial competitiveness.

As Pertamina's Gas Subholding, he continued, PGN provides support in terms of fulfilling natural gas energy as one of the operational components of the industrial sector.

"We are trying our best so that cooperation between the two parties is a symbiotic mutualism cooperation. We support each other so that natural gas distribution and absorption are maintained so that the gas needs of industry players are met. The hope is that PGN and industry can grow together to support the economy," said PGN Commercial Director Ratih Esti Prihatini.

Ratih said PGN remains committed and supports government policies, including supporting the implementation of natural gas distribution to certain industries or HGBT.