Govt asks for increase in cement production capacity

Minister of State Enterprise Sofyan Djalil is asking state cement producers to increase their production capacity in order to fulfill the country's growing demand for cement.

"We predict the country will need 140 million metric tonnes in the next 10 years," Sofyan said during a signing of a memorandum of understanding between state electricity company  PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and cement producers PT Semen Gresik, PT Semen Padang and PT Semen Tonasa in Jakarta on Friday.

"So far we only produce 46 million metric tons to provide for the country’s annual need," he added.

Sofyan said that cement companies have to work hard to meet the demand. Indonesia is abundant with natural resources for cement production capacity to be higher than the current rate, he said. (naf)