INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The steel industry players in the country urged the government to tighten the regulation of steel import trading system. One of the concerns is the alleged dumping practice that is concentrated in Batam's free trade zone.

"We have proposed to the government to impose the same anti-dumping tariff in Batam FTZ," said Executive Director of Indonesian Iron and Steel Industry Association Hidayat Triseputro.

Control of dumping on the area indirectly can stimulate the steel user industry outside Batam. Control of steel dumping in Batam can move the shipbuilding industry in various regions.

"For example shipyards, now it is actually very pity that outside Batam baseball forward-forward just so-so only. But precisely that in Batam advanced once, "he said.

According to him, the government needs to grow a good business competition climate in the steel industry by lowering import figures. A reduction in the share of imports will encourage steel manufacturers to increase investment and production in the country.

"The prospect of developing steel industry in Indonesia is still excellent, especially if it can hit the import figures," said Hidayat.

The steel consumption figure in Indonesia is one of the lowest in Asean, at around 65 kilograms per capita last year. Meanwhile, steel consumption of other Southeast Asian countries exceeded 100 kilograms per capita.

Steel consumption in neighboring countries such as Singapore reached 1,036 kilograms per capita, Malaysia 410 kilograms per capita, Thailand 296 kilograms per capita and Vietnam 164 kilograms per capita.