J

AKARTA: The Indonesian government wants a 7.5 percent increase in the nation’s small and medium industries sector in 2011, up from a 4.8 percent increase in the sector this year.

“We expect 7.5 percent growth next year over this year’s output, which is predicted to reach Rp 14 trillion [US$1.55 billion],” Industry Ministry SME chief Euis Saedah said on Sunday evening, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com news portal.

“We are looking to push SME growth to 12 percent a year so that SMEs can contribute 50 percent of gross domestic product by 2025,” Euis said.

The ministry would develop SMEs outside Java and its handicraft and pottery industries to reach its target, she said.“We will develop the precious stones processing and crude palm oil derivative industries,” Euis said. — JP