Govt Encourages Strengthening of National Steel Industry Ecosystem

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti has called for strengthening the national iron and steel industry ecosystem, citing the sector’s strategic role in supporting Indonesia’s non-oil and gas trade surplus last year.

Roro emphasized that close cooperation between the government and business actors is essential to maintain a conducive business climate. “With solid collaboration, we can increase production and maintain competitiveness,” she said in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The iron and steel industry recorded exports worth USD 27.97 billion in 2025, contributing a trade surplus of USD 18.44 billion. Indonesia currently ranks 14th among global crude steel producers, with a capacity of 18 million tons. Domestic steel consumption is projected to reach 19.3 million tons this year.

“We are committed to supporting the national iron and steel industry to become more productive, efficient, and globally competitive. With a strong ecosystem and continuous collaboration, Indonesia’s steel industry is expected to generate a multiplier effect on the national economy,” Roro said.

The government is also using trade security instruments under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules to protect local producers. These measures aim to prevent unfair practices such as import surges or dumping. Monitoring of product compliance with standards is being intensified to ensure quality in the domestic market and provide business certainty for investors in the heavy metal industry.

President Director of PT Garuda Yamato Steel Tony Taniwan described the steel industry as the “mother of all industries,” noting that national growth depends heavily on the availability of steel as the foundation for strategic infrastructure projects. “If the steel industry is robust, then the national economy will also be resilient,” he said.

Tony added that proportional policies are needed to balance industrial needs with global competition. He stressed that government regulations must safeguard the competitiveness of local products to prevent disruption from imports. ***

The original copy of this article has been published by RRI International News: Wamendag Dorong Penguatan Ekosistem Industri Baja dan Besi Nasional