According to an industry ministry official said on Thursday, Indonesia expects to import about 3 million tons of special steel, which are applied in the auto and electronics industries, compared to 2.5~ 3 million tons in 2008.

In the first half, Indonesia has imported 1.3 million tons of special steel. But as car sales are expected to be down to 450,000 units in 2009 from 607,805 units in 2008, the imports of steel in second half is forecasted to be flat

Indonesia relies on imports of special steel mainly from Japan for automotive, electronics, and heavy machinery industries. It follows the free trade agreement between the two countries on removing import duties for special steel.

Indonesia imports about 1.5 million tons of Japan’s origin special steel in 2008.