Iodized salt from C. Java

SEMARANG, Central Java: The province hopes to export some 60,000 tons of iodized salt, which is vital to children's intelligence growth and the prevention of goiter, to other provinces this year.

"If the target is achieved, Central Java will be able to make available 47 percent of Indonesia's demand for iodized salt," said Nuri Handayani of the local office of the Association of Indonesian Iodized Salt Producers.

Central Java has 48 producers of the salt, Nuri said yesterday.

Currently, local salt producers export their products to West Java, Jakarta, West Sumatra, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.

She said the local salt makers will have to face a serious challenge if the government goes ahead with its plan to set up its own factories.

The government intends to build factories worth several billion rupiahs in Central Java, East Java and South Sulawesi. (pan)