Minister plays down short-term risk of China import ban policy on coal

By Bambang Atmaja

Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa said that he did not worry over short term impact of China import ban policy on low rank calorie coal, saying that the country could find new buyers.

"We can create other markets. Please do not be panicked if a country imposes such ban," Minister Hatta told Petromindo.com at the State Palace.

Many Asian countries, India, Sri Langka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other buyers from Sudan and Turkey are interested in purchasing coal from Indonesia, Executive Director of Indonesian Coal Mining Association Supriatna Suhala told Petromindo.com on May 30 at Four Seasons Hotel.

Minister Hatta said that currently the country still needs more coal.

In the longer term, he said, coal could meet the country's higher demand of energy, which is going to be at 9 million kilo litter of oil equivalent in the near future. The country's demand of electricity grows by 3,000 MW annually, which means demand for coal will be rising in line to fire the power plants, according to him.

Also, the government plans to construct thousands of mouth coal mine power plants, he said.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora