Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Inauguration of PT Prima Alam Gemilang Sugar Factory, Thursday, 22 October 2020 in Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good Morning,
May peace be upon us all.
Honorable Ministers of Indonesia Onward Cabinet, industrial sector,
Minister of Agriculture, Cabinet Secretary;
Honorable Governor of Southeast Sulawesi and Regent of Bombana;
Honorable Chairman of PT Jhonlin Group Haji Isam (Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad), Board of Commissioners and Board of Directors of PT Jhonlin and PT Prima Alam Gemilang;
Distinguished Andi Amran Sulaiman and Syafruddin;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a form of bravery, a bravery to invest, a bravery to start a business in this region. We must appreciate and respect the decision. The construction was started three years ago, and now it has finished and the factory has started its operations. Opening an industry, a factory, and the most important is creating new jobs for the community. This is the most important thing that I want to highlight, 15,000 (workforce). Previously, Ghimoyo, the CEO (of PT Jhonlin Group) said that there (will be) 15,000 (workforce). The factory alone absorbs 4,700 (workforce). In this current economic condition, many businesspeople are taking a wait-and-see approach, ruminating to invest, runimating to start a new business. Thus, the decision of Haji Isam must be appreciated.
Our country needs 5.8 tons (of sugar) per year. The country can only produce 2.1 million tons (of sugar). Meaning that we are still importing 3.7 million (tons of sugar). For that reason, we must appreciate this new factory in Bombana since it can reduce imports. It means that (the factory) could improve the country’s foreign exchange and strengthen current account balance.
Therefore, I have asked whether there is a potential for expansion in this region beside the 20,000 (hectares) of land which have been opened for plantation. Minister Amran told me there are 80,000 hectares of land available for it. If there is an opportunity like this offers it to those willing to build another sugar factory. I have also asked Haji Isam whether he is willing to build the second and third factories, and he said that he will. I will wait three more years to inaugurate another factory in this region.
It is better than importing, we will be at a loss if we are still importing….in addition to a bad current account balance, we will not absorb domestic workforce, and it will not increase our foreign exchange reserves. If you have the bravery to build a sugar factory in Bombana Regency but you face difficulties in getting permits or in going through other process, it is really terrible.
The country needs sugar, 5.8 million (tons) as I mentioned before, yet we can only meet 2.1 million (tons), we need 3.7 million (tons) more. How many does this factory produce per year? 400,000 tons? It will not meet the demand.
I guess that is all. Once again, I appreciate this investment and by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I inaugurate Bombana Sugar Factory, Gulata, PT Prima Alam Gemilang.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Translated by: Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana