The government of Indonesia is trying to establish industrial salt production in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). “We’re looking at opening investments there,” Maritime and Fishery Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said yesterday.

He said that Indonesia had only been importing industrial salt. “As for consumption salt, we’re still working toward self-sufficiency this year,” he said.

He also said he hoped the Industry Ministry could encourage the industry to produce industrial salt as his ministry is only responsible for consumption salt supply. “We’re directly guiding salt farmers in the coastal area,” he said.

The government is also planning to build homes for low-income fishermen using the people’s housing loan scheme. As many as 15,000 homes will be built with an allocated Rp1.6 trillion.