TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The growth of steel industries is expected to decline this year if the scarcity of raw materials is not overcome immediately. Therefore, participation of related institutions is required to solve the problem. “Many steel industries are complaining about how difficult it is to find raw materials. If the scarcity continues to the end of this year, the domestic steel industry may lose its ability to compete,” said Panggah Susanto, director-general of the Industry Ministry’s manufacture-based industry division. Panggah said the cause of the scarcity was the suspension of imported scrap metal containers at the port. Some containers were suspended due to suspicion they might contain toxic and hazardous materials. However, many steel industries depend on this imported scrap metals. (IAZ/SSB/S004)