Lawmaker BHS Pushes for Increased Budget for Industrial Sector and Downstreaming

Commission VII DPR member Bambang Haryo Soekartono (BHS) stated that industry is a strategic sector capable of being the primary engine of national economic growth. The Ministry of Industry is even targeting industrial growth of 7.55 percent to support the 8 percent national economic growth target under President Prabowo’s administration. However, BHS noted that the industrial sector’s budget has declined compared to five years ago. In 2023, the ministry’s budget was recorded at Rp 4.530 trillion, but the projection for 2027 has fallen to Rp 2.01 trillion. “In fact, the 8 percent economic growth target emphasised by President Prabowo must be supported by an increase in national industrial capacity, including a significant increase in employment absorption,” BHS said in Jakarta on Thursday. According to BHS, the target growth of 7.55 percent in the manufacturing industry’s Gross Domestic Product certainly requires adequate budget support. The budget is needed to drive industrial growth, accelerate downstreaming, enhance national competitiveness, and create greater added value for the economy. “With very minimal budget conditions, these targets will be difficult to achieve,” BHS said. In comparison with Malaysia, he added, the national budget there is only around Rp 1,974 trillion.