INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The government has finally opened imports of salt to address the scarcity and high salt prices in the country. However, the import of salt is only allocated for raw materials of small and medium industries (IKM).

Production Director of PT Garam Budi Sasongko said the small and medium industries targeted by imported salt consumption are those with capacity below 5 tons. There are a number of areas that have been targeted by the government.

"There are a number of small and medium industries such as in Central Java, West Java, and East Java," said Budi Sasongko at the Ministry of Commerce, Jakarta, Friday (28/07/2017).

Budi said about 200 SME business actors in Central Java ready to absorb imports of salt consumption. Similarly, West Java and East Java which has 250 IKM ready to absorb imports of salt consumption.

Director of Crime Economic and Special Crime Police, Brigadier General Setya, said it will guard the distribution of imported salt consumption to the consumer hands according to the correct mechanism.

Agung Setya said it will ensure there is no permeation in this salt importation project. The police will cooperate with all Polda and Polres throughout Indonesia in overseeing the import of salt.

The government decided to import the consumption salt of 75 thousand tons which is planned to be imported on 10 August. Director General of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Trade, Oke Nurwan, said this is a special and urgent situation