Government Prepares Strategy to Address Plastic Price Increases

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is preparing a series of strategic measures to respond to the rising prices of plastic raw materials and various other commodities affected by global geopolitical dynamics, particularly the conflict in the Middle East region. During a media briefing at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government is currently focusing on intensive monitoring of global commodity price movements, while preparing mitigation steps to minimise the impact on industries and the public. According to him, the government recognises that global turbulence, including rising energy prices, directly affects the domestic industrial sector, one of which is the plastics industry whose raw materials are still imported. He explained that the government’s strategy is carried out through cross-ministerial coordination to ensure that policy responses are swift and integrated. The government has coordinated with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, and the Ministry of Industry to find solutions to price pressures. Other steps being prepared by the government include maintaining the stability of energy and industrial raw material supplies, including opening opportunities for new supply sources if necessary. “The way to resolve it is not straightforward either. For example, ensuring our oil supply, even though, apologies, for instance, many countries produce oil, but we may not have bought from that country or company before. This takes time,” said Prasetyo by way of explanation. Nevertheless, the government assures that it continues to formulate various policy schemes to maintain price stability and protect the national industrial sector from the impacts of global geopolitical uncertainties.