REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KARAWANG -- Minister of Industry Saleh Husin asked automotive industry to boost research and development. He expects Indonesia to exceed Thailand, the largest in Southeast Asia.
"The strong component industry will decrease our dependence on import. It will also lead to competitiveness," Husin said during his visit to PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) in Karawang on Friday, November 21.
He also visited PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) and PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) and invited them to invest more in Indonesia. Automotive industry highly contributes to national economy. Car industry creates jobs for 1.3 million people, while motorcycle absorbs 1.8 million people.
In the last two years, car sales grow significantly. It raises from 1.1 million units in 2012 to 1.2 million units in 2013. From January to October 2014, the number has reached 1,038,298 units. "We hope to reach 1.2 million units," he said.