Menkop UKM Expect Import Rules Not To Difficult MSMEs

Coordinating Minister for SMEs Teten Masduki (Photo: Kemenkop UKM)

JAKARTA - Revision of import policies through the issuance of Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 8 of 2024 no longer makes it difficult for business actors, especially MSMEs.

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki highlighted the current global economic conditions that pose challenges for the development of Indonesian industries and MSMEs. These challenges include the availability of raw materials, the need for design innovation, to human resource skills.

"The President recently revised the Permendag (Number 36 of 2023) because of reports of 20 thousand stalled containers. Hopefully this will not interfere with our business," Teten said quoting Antara.

Apart from import regulations, Teten said the government also continues to strive to protect and improve the competitiveness of the Indonesian MSME industry by creating a conducive business ecosystem.

Efforts have been made, including providing an integrated market intelligence and access to one-door information for export aggregators, financing support, and developing houses for small industrial products for expansion abroad or the Indonesia Trading House to expand export marketing networks and make Indonesia a global trade hub.

The government has previously issued Regulation of the Minister of Trade (Permendag) Number 8 of 2024 which revised Permendag 36/2023 regarding the prohibition of restrictions on imported goods.

The issuance of Permendag 8/2024 aims to overcome problems that arise due to the implementation of Permendag 36/2023 in conjunction with 3/2024 in conjunction with 7/2024, which imposes a tightening of imports and additional import licensing requirements in the form of technical regulations.

Since Permendag 36/2023 was implemented on March 10, 2024, there have been obstacles in the import licensing process, resulting in container buildup in several main ports, such as Tanjung Priok, Jakarta; and Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

The number of containers detained reached 17,304 containers at Tanjung Priok Port and 9,111 containers at Tanjung Perak Port.