Rupiah Touched Rp16,200 Per US Dollar, Minister Of Industry Agus: Can Influence Manufacturing Production Costs

Caption: Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said, the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar, which had penetrated the level of Rp. 16,200, would have an impact on manufacturing conditions in Indonesia.

Minister of Industry Agus, the weakening of the rupiah will have an impact on industrial competitiveness, especially for the industrial sector that uses raw materials from abroad.

"This will definitely affect the cost of production (cost of production). Not to mention if we talk about non-production costs, logistics and so on, it will also affect when the rupiah weakens," said Minister of Industry Agus when met after the Halalbihalal event of the Ministry of Industry in his office, Tuesday, April 16.

In addition, Agus said, the weakening of the rupiah could also have an impact on the selling price of manufactured products.

"On the other hand, if the rupiah weakens, we can see that the price, right, will definitely be much more expensive. So, it will affect the competitiveness of our products. That is the concern of the government," he said.

Therefore, Agus said that efforts were needed to secure the price of raw materials to remain stable, including not involving the US dollar in transactions.

For example, if you transact with other countries, you can use the country's currency.

"One option that we can take is to cooperate with countries that have been the main supplier of raw materials and industrial auxiliary materials, for example China. We can cooperate in currency, such as currency yuan and rupiah. When it comes to Chinese, yes," said Agus.

As for data from Google Finance, the rupiah exchange rate has touched the figure of Rp. 16,192 per US dollar on Tuesday, April 16, at 15.12 WIB.

The current position of the rupiah is the weakest since April 6, 2020 or the last four years since the COVID-19 pandemic.