REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEKASI -- Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita released exports of 300 tons structural steel to Sri Lanka and 400 tons steel plates to Australia on Thursday. The products were manufactured by PT Gunung Raja Paksi (GRP) in Cikarang Barat, Bekasi, West Java.
"The export of PT Gunung Raja Paksi's steel offers an extraordinary momentum. This can be a very important catalyst, to not only encourage the growth of the domestic industry but also to continue to capture global market opportunities and increase national exports," Lukita remarked here on Thursday.
According to the minister, owing to the varied and flexible properties, iron and steel are materials used in various industries, ranging from construction and building industries, automotive, to kitchen and household appliances. The value of Indonesia's iron and steel exports in 2018 increased sharply, from US$3.33 billion in 2017 to $5.75 billion in 2018, up by 72.40 percent.
As one of the export-oriented national companies, PT GRP has currently exported its products to various countries in the world.
Furthermore, the minister stressed that policies aimed at promoting the growth of the domestic industry and the competitiveness of Indonesian export products cannot stand alone without the active role of businesspersons to continue to remain committed to developing their businesses and supporting the national economy. Hence, the government continues to encourage PT GRP to increase its contribution to global trade by developing markets for export to other countries.
Some of the export destinations are to the United States, especially after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Hanwa American Corp and Gunung Steel Group to export 50 thousand MT of bar steel.
PT GRP CEO Alouisius Maseimilian also revealed that PT GRP is optimistic that the company's performance would continue to increase, mainly supported by the operation of the blast furnace facility in the second semester of 2019. With this latest facility, the company has the ability to increase the production capacity of main raw materials from slabs produced from absorption source of local iron ore and reduce production costs.
"This facility is an effort of the company to be able to meet the national steel demand that continues to increase every year, as well as opening up more sales opportunities abroad," he stated.
He noted that the increase in capability is undeniably owing to the support of the government, especially the Ministry of Trade, which helps to overcome barriers to export trade through various regulations.
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