Jakarta, Feb. 6 -- Indonesia's iron and steel industry continues to record positive developments for the national economy.

The country ranks among the world's five largest exporters of iron and steel products amid the government's ongoing efforts to increase the value of national resources through its downstreaming agenda, Trade Minister Budi Santoso highlighted.

During a meeting with Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on Wednesday (February 4), he noted that Indonesia had risen from 17th place in 2019 to fifth place at present, ranking behind only China, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

He attributed the major progress to downstreaming efforts and the strengthening of domestic industrial capacity.

The minis...