Holiday Ayo - The national iron and steel industry has shown a significant increase with exports of up to 26.7 billion US dollars in 2023. 

The performance of the iron and steel trade balance has also improved from a deficit of USD3 billion in 2019 to a surplus of USD15.3 billion in 2023. 

This was followed by growth in the base metal industry from Q1-2023 to Q1-2024 in the range of 11%-18% and an increase in exports of base metal products from 8.74% in 2019 to 16.74% in 2023. 

“The steel industry is good because it can host it in its own country. For example, IKN, all steel construction is made in Indonesia and this is our advantage. We have become a country with strong competitiveness in iron and steel," said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto at the event Seminar and National Working Meeting (Rakernas) III of the Indonesian Society of Steel Construction (ISSC), Wednesday (10/7) as quoted from the official statement. 

Apart from highlighting the development of the steel industry, Coordinating Minister Airlangga also mentioned the progress of one of the construction brothers in Batam who succeeded in exporting 130 wind turbines. 

The wind turbine is also the first to be installed on northern Long Island, New York, with a planned capacity of 2.1 Gigawatt. 

Taking into account the achievements of football commodity exports that have been carried out in several countries, including Sydney and New Zealand, Coordinating Minister Airlangga said that the steel industry in Indonesia is increasingly strengthening and is being taken into account by various countries in the world. 

With demand continuing to increase, Coordinating Minister Airlangga appealed to the steel industry target to be increased to 20 million tons, considering that consumption is expected to increase to 18-19 million tons.