Indonesia to stop importing consumption salt next year

JAKARTA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia planned to stop importing salt for consumption next year as the national production would reach 1.4 million tons, or exceeding national need on salt for consumption at 1.2 million tons, an Indonesian official said here on Thursday.

Sudirman Saad, Coastal and Small Islands Director General at Maritime and Fishery ministry said that the plan to stop the import on consumption salt has been agreed in a ministerial meeting led by Coordinating Economy Minister Hatta Radjasa.

He called on salt importers in the country to address the government's decision by buying and distributing salt produced by local producers as much as the import amount at the price set up by the government.

"Should the importers defy the decision, we can simply revoke their import licenses," Sudirman said here, adding that government would draft a particular regulation regarding the plan.

Indonesia requires a total of 2.9 million tonnes each year that consisted of 1.2 million tons for consumption and 1.7 million tonnes for production process.

Sudirman said that his ministry has planned to extend areas for salt production in three regencies located in East Nusa Tenggara ( NTT) province.

November 3, 2011

Source: Xinhua News