Press Production Costs, Ministry Of Industry Proposes Expansion Of HGBT Provision For Aluminum Sector

Head of the Metal Non Iron Industry Working Team of the Metal Industry Directorate, Yosef Danianta Kurniawan (right). Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI

BOGOR - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) proposed an expansion of the provision of Certain Natural Gas Prices (HGBT) for the aluminum sector. The proposal is made to reduce production costs to increase industrial competitiveness.

It is known that currently there are seven HGBT recipient sub-sectors in accordance with applicable regulations, namely fertilizers; petrochemicals; autochemicals; steel; ceramics; glass glasses; and rubber gloves.

Head of the Metal Non Iron Industry Working Team of the Metal Industry Directorate, Yosef Danianta Kurniawan, explained that the HGBT expansion for the aluminum sector will reduce production costs.

"As we know in the mineral-based industrial sector, this is mainly supported by raw materials, the second is related to energy. So that this competitive energy will certainly increase the competitiveness of domestic aluminum-based industries," said Head of the Metal Non Iron Industry Working Team, Directorate of Metal Industry Yosef Danianta Kurniawan at the Media Gathering of the Industrial Journalists Forum (Forwin) in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, Friday, November 14.

"So this Certain Natural Gas Price is one of the proposals from business actors to be expanded in the aluminum sector," he continued.

According to Yosef, his party has submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. However, he said, this needed discussion at the level of a limited meeting (Ratas).

"In terms of industry, we have submitted it to the Minister of Industry and we have also proposed it to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. But indeed in terms of regulations for the expansion of the sector or addition of this new sector needs to be discussed at the Ratas level," he said.

He assessed that the challenges faced today are related to supply availability.

"So, indeed, currently HGBT is still limited in seven sectors, there is no such thing as an expansion. In terms of industry, we hope that an expansion of the sector can be carried out, because this energy is indeed one of the significant issues in the industrial sector," explained Yosef.

"So, from the industry side, we can only encourage it, but later further discussions must be raised at the Ratas level," he added.