REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla was on an official visit to East Java province from December 4-6.

During this trip, the vice president visited Lamongan Bay, Krep sugar factory in the Mojokerto area, the center of research for sugar products in Pasuruan, as well as the center for artificial insemination and Karang Kates dam in Malang.

Earlier, Jusuf Kalla toured West Java province where he visited Jatiluhur dam, a rice research center in Sukamandi area, the Indramayu power plant and a sugar factory in Subang.

During his visit to West Java, Jusuf Kalla also met with Ismed Hasan Putro, the CEO of state-owned agribusiness company PT Rajawali Nusantara (RNI), who called on the government to limit the imports of refined sugar, due to the effects of imports on local sugarcane farmers.

"The import of refined sugar has affected the national sugar industry. Of the 10 sugar factories operated by RNI, only two are able to generate profits," Ismed pointed out.

Ismed also highlighted the need for the government to offer incentives to state-owned sugar factories to enable them to upgrade old machinery.

In the meantime, Vice President Jusuf Kalla promised he would discuss the challenges faced by RNI with the authorities.

"The problems faced by the local sugar industry must be discussed and solved at technical and operational levels," added Jusuf Kalla.

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