Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Industry is promoting exports of the national automotive industry and spur research on the technology, Minister of Industry Saleh Husin said in a press statement received by ANTARA here Friday.

"We are formulating strategies to increase exports to between one hundred and three hundred percent of last year's number which was 207 units according to the presidents directive," he added.

The ministry expects automotive companies in Indonesia to increase their investment, especially for global products and the main components, in order to strengthen competitiveness and improve national export.

The government welcomes and facilitates every investment in the automotive industry, and expects the research and development programs to be carried out in Indonesia, Saleh said.

Indonesian human resources have immense capabilities in the development of automotive technology, the minister asserted.

In particular, Saleh thanked the automotive industries which have made Indonesia their production base and realized the highest production in 2014 with a total of 1,298,523 units.

This number makes automotive sector the main industry and has a big influence on the national gross domestic product.

The ministry has a road map to boost the numbers in automotive production up to 2.5 million units by 2020.

This target is in line with the investment escalation.

The Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries, Yohannes Nangoi, appreciated the governments support.

"We appreciate the support and attention given by the government to the automotive industry over these years. Intensive communication and cooperation are going on and will continue to be improved," Yohannes said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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