Expansive Manufacturing PMI, Minister Of Industry Agus Reaffirms Industry Needs HGBT

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

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) said that the manufacturing performance that took place in March this year was driven by an increase in new demand, thereby spurring industrial productivity.

This is reflected in the S&P Global report which shows that the Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) of Indonesian manufacturing is at the level of 54.2 or an increase of 1.5 points compared to February 2024 at 52.7.

Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said, to improve the performance of the manufacturing industry sector, strategic policy support is needed, such as Certain Natural Gas Prices (HGBT) for all industrial sectors.

"We are also optimistic that Indonesia's manufacturing PMI can be even higher if the HGBT program runs well and is accessed by all industries," said Minister of Industry Agus in a written statement, quoted on Tuesday, April 2.

Agus assessed that if all industrial sectors could get competitive gas prices, it would certainly provide a multiplier effect for the national economy and boost the competitiveness of industrial products.

Based on data from the Ministry of Industry, the HGBT policy is greatly benefited by business actors. In 2023, the increase in taxes from the HGBT user industry will reach 32 percent compared to 2019.

Tak hanya itu, hingga 2023, tercatat terealisasi investasi sebesar Rp41 triliun atau naik sebesar 34 persen dibanding 2019. Bahkan, terdapat potensi investasi di sektor petrokimia, baja, ceramic dan kaca sebesar Rp225 triliun.

Another positive impact during 2020 to 2023 was an increase in exports of IDR 84.98 trillion, an increase in tax revenues of IDR 27.81 trillion, an increase in investment of IDR 31.06 trillion and a decrease in fertilizer subsidies of IDR 13.3 trillion.

"What must be considered is that HGBT has been able to increase APBN's revenue. Each expenditure of Rp. 1 is able to provide a replacement income for the state of Rp. 3," he said.

Furthermore, his party noted that around 140 companies that have been recommended by the Ministry of Industry have not been determined to get HGBT.

A total of 33 companies are included in the seven (7) recipient sectors in accordance with Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 121 of 2020 in conjunction with Presidential Decree 40 of 2016. Meanwhile, the remaining 107 companies came from 15 new sectors proposed by the Ministry of Industry.

"Industrial sectors, especially gas users, both as raw and energy materials, require sufficient supply and competitive prices in the long term," he said.

Therefore, the Ministry of Industry views the importance of more comprehensive arrangements in order to provide space for the industrial world in order to optimize production.