The Minister of Research and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Menristekdikti), Mohamad Nasir made a working visit to the office of PT Barata Indonesia (Persero) in Gresik, East Java, on Thursday (01/31/2019).

This work visit is intended to see the development of PT Barata Indonesia (Persero). In his special visit the Minister of Research and Technology conducted a review of foundry production facilities and participated in formalizing the release of exports of one of Barata Indonesia’s flagship products, namely the Boogie Car Set with the aim of shipping to Manzanillo, Mexico. Also present at the  work visit were Deputy of Mining Business, Strategic Industry and Media Ministry of State Owned Enterprise; representative of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and  Chancellor of the ITS Surabaya a.

On the same occasion, in order to improve foundry technology PT Barata Indonesia (Persero) also signed a collaboration through the Research and Development (RnD) scheme with the Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS). The synergy of industry and the world of education is important to do, in order to push the innovation ecosystem to run faster. The process of downstream inventions from the results of higher education research can be realized through a scheme of cooperation with industry. “The collaboration between ITS and Barata is expected to create a strong research synergy in an effort to respond to industrial needs and especially benefit the community”. Nasir said in his speech.

In line with this, Deputy of Mining Business, Strategic Industry and Media Ministry of State Owned Enterprise, Fajar Harry Sampurno, appreciated Barata’s achievements and commitment in developing business through exports to the railway industry. On this occasion Fajar also invited to increase the production of imported substitute goods as an effort to reduce the need for raw materials not produced domestically.

This momentum must be warned to encourage innovation and investment. The existence of state-owned enterprises as agents of development must be able to provide benefits and ends that can drive the national economy. On the other hand,Increasing exports can foster pride thatState Owned Enterprise  products are recognized by the world and can further increase the country’s foreign exchange.

Responding to this, President Director of PT Barata Indonesia (Persero), Oksarlidady Arifin, expressed optimism in building of Barata through superior products such as boogie car sets in the railroad industry, factory components in the sugar industry, turbine components in the power industry, to heavy equipment other industries.

Innovation will continue to be carried out in a comprehensive manner in order to improve competency so that Barata can become a leading in the Foundry, Energy and Water (FEW +) industries. For information this year, PT Barata Indonesia (Persero) targets the export achievement of 570M.