Indonesian coal production was recorded at 180 million tons on Wednesday, or 37.11 percent of the government’s 485 million target this year.

However, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said he wanted Indonesia to further increase coal production to 585 million by year-end as part of efforts to narrow the current-account deficit (CAD).

“Yesterday [Tuesday], during the limited Cabinet meeting, the President said that we needed foreign exchange. He raised the possibility of increasing coal production by 100 million tons,”  Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesman Agung Pribadi said on Wednesday.

He claimed that one coal miner was ready to increase its production by 25 million tons worth around US$1.5 billion.

Speaking about the country’s meager coal production in the first half 2018, Agung claimed some companies had not reported their output and expressed confidence that coal miners would be able to meet the new production target.

(read more: The Jakarta Post)