"The Minister Of Industry Opens His Voice About The HGBT Program Expansion Plan," He Said

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita opened her voice regarding the expansion of certain natural gas price programs (HGBT) to continue, although the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said further evaluation was needed.

Currently, HGBT is still limited in 7 sectors at a price of 7 US dollars per MMBTU, such as the fertilizer industry, petrochemicals, oleochemicals, steel, ceramics, glass glasses and rubber gloves.

Minister of Industry Agus admitted that he was dizzy by the policies issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The reason is, with the HGBT restrictions for a number of industrial sectors, it is enough to disrupt the performance of the related industrial sector.

"I have a headache with HGBT, I have a headache against the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, that's all," Agus told reporters at the Ministry of Industry office, Jakarta, Friday, February 23.

When asked further about what plans his party will carry out in the near future, Agus did not provide further information.

He only regretted the policy that had been carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. "I'm dizzy against the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources," he said.

On the same occasion, the Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment and Electronics Industry of the Ministry of Industry, Taufiek Bawazier, said that the expansion of the HGBT needed to be done. Because, it will provide many benefits for Indonesia.

"Ask to expand because the benefits are large, there is also added value for raw materials. This is part of the government to raise it," he said.

According to Taufiek, if the policy continues, it will be able to strengthen the national industry.

"We ask to continue so that the added value of the national industry is stronger, that is the first record and also availability or adequacy. Do not let the price be 6 US dollars but not enough," he said.

Previously reported, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said that further evaluation was needed regarding the proposed expansion of certain natural gas price programs (HGBT) to be given to all industrial sectors.

Director General of Oil and Gas (Migas) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Tutuka Ariadji said, there are several factors that need to be considered, such as natural gas reserves and state revenues.

"Yes, we ask the Ministry of Industry to conduct an evaluation. This is asking the Ministry of Industry to answer. We are trying to support HGBT but precisely in industries that need it," he said.