Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian government is implementing preferential policies to develop bio-ethanol fuel in the future, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and protect the environment.
Speaking at the "Jakarta Future Forum: Blue Horizon, Green Growth", Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said the government will subsidise the development of bio-ethanol fuel, elaborating that the utilisation of bio-ethanol as fuel serves as one of the quick steps to address air pollution issues in the country.
According to Pandjaitan, the government had not ruled out the possibility of mixing ethanol with Pertalite, a type of gasoline offered by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
In order to expedite the development of bio-ethanol, it is aiming to make use of around 2 million hectares of sugarcane plantation in Papua region, he said.
The official said the government is planning to use corn, sugarcane or even seaweed to produce bio-ethanol.
The Government approved Decree 15 of 2024 signed by President Joko Widodo on April 19 to form a task force for the acceleration of sugar and bioethanol self-sufficiency stationed in Merauke district, South Papua province, he added./.
