TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called his four ministers to the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday. He wanted to discuss the import of industrial salt.
"The president called me, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, and Transportation Minister Airlangga Hartarto to explain the implementation of salt imports," Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution, stated.
Nasution noted that the implementation of salt import is only intended for industry based on the needs, and the number is not specified.
"Jokowi has reminded me that law enforcement officers need to monitor well to prevent leakage of industrial salt imports in the market," he said.
In addition to law enforcement supervision, industrial salt import is also under very tight supervision from Industry Ministry.
He further stated that the policy is to keep farmers' salt prices at a profitable level."Although the current season, such as dry season, p oses problems for salt farmers, high intensity of rain can be expected soon," he stated.
Hartarto noted that the salt supply has been regulated by Government Regulation and was in accordance with the expected demand.
However, Hartanto remarked that the government has also encouraged the industries, such as food and beverage industries, to use salt from farmers.
"The Industry Ministry has also encouraged industries that process food and beverages to utilize salt from local farmers, in order to maximize the salt produced by farmers," he added.
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