Apindo Asks the Indonesian Government to be Careful in Implementing Restrictions on the Entry of Imported Goods

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (Apindo) asked the Indonesian Government to be careful in implementing restrictions on the entry of imported goods into Indonesia.

"We have given advice to be careful, because 70 percent of our production raw materials still have to be imported," said General Chairperson of Apindo Shinta W Kamdani in Serang, Banten, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, October 18.

Shinta said that restrictions on imported goods must also pay attention to local production mechanisms, so as not to disrupt the supply of raw materials for local commodities that will be exported.

In line with the government, he believes it is important to stop illegal dumping, but he emphasizes that local production for export is also no less important.

"Don't let tightening imports disrupt local production. Of course we understand that illegal dumping must be stopped, but don't let it disrupt (local production). Right now there are already many obstacles," he also said.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government would immediately implement various regulations to tighten the flow of imported goods.

He said this was done to respond to complaints from associations and the public due to the flood of imported goods in traditional markets, the lack of traditional markets, and the increase in sales of non-domestic goods in e-Commerce.

"Well, imported (goods) will certainly disrupt the market share of domestic products, then illegal imports of second-hand clothing will increase, and layoffs will also occur in the textile industry sector," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga, Friday, October 6.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga added that Indonesia has handled several commodities, both prohibited and/restricted goods (lartas), namely 60 percent and non-lartas, namely 40 percent.