President Jokowi determined to cut energy product imports
Monday, December 16 2019 - 11:56 PM WIB
President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, has reiterated his government's determination to cut imports of energy products, such as fuel and other raw materials, as an effort to reduce trade deficit.
"Years ago, we did not import oil, but now have to import oil at around 700-800 thousand barrels per day...as well as gas and petrochemical derivative products that have widened our deficit. And, this has gone on for long," the President said.
According to the President, Indonesia can reduce imports by substituting the imported products with domestic resources, such as converting coal into gas, and instead of importing LPG. Oil-based aviation jet fuel can also be substituted with jet fuel made from crude palm oil, as Indonesia has abundant resources of CPO.
Therefore, the President called on his aides and regional governments to transform the national economy and relying on domestic resources.
He also called on industrial players to focus on improving added value of domestic raw products either in oil, mining, petrochemical as a move to cut imports
"Our goal is toward that direction," the President said when opening National Development Planning Meeting for 2020-2024 at the State Place on Monday (16/12).
Editing by Roffie Kurniawan