Luhut: Gov’t Should Cut Salt Imports

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan answers questions from reporters after attending the 2019 National Coordination Meeting of the BMKG at the State Palace, Jakarta, (22/7). (Photo by: JAY/PR)

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan suggested the Government to stop importing salt because it causes the price of domestic salt drop .

“Indonesia’s industrial salt production will reach an additional 800,000 tons by 2021 generated from 5,270 hectares of salt mine in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province. So, actually no need to import more salt,” Luhut told reporters after attending the Opening of National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (22/7).

Until then, Luhut suggested to reduce salt import gradually.

Regarding the beverage and food industry that requires industrial salt, the Coordinating Minister said that the industry should already have enough salt supplies.

“The Government should stop importing salt and should produce more instead,” Luhut emphasized. (FID / JAY / ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Muhardi/Mia Medyana