Inaplas Asks Government To Implement Plastic Goods Import Duty

Illustration (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Aromatic and Plastic Olefin Industry Association (Inaplas) has asked the government to implement Anti-damping Import Duty (BMAD) and Safeguard Measure Import Duty (BMTP) for plastic goods.

"Inaplas encourages the Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee (KADI) and the International Trade Protection Committee (KPPI) to immediately establish Anti-Dumping Import Duty (BMAD) and Safeguard Measure Import Duty (BMTP) for plastic goods," said Inaplas Director of Domestic and International Partnership Budi Susanto as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 19.

This statement is related to the reaction of plastic industry players, especially plastic raw materials, to the Regulation of the Minister of Trade (Permendag) Number 8 of 2024 which has relaxed a number of import permits.

Budi emphasized that the plastic industry players felt aggrieved by the policy, so they needed protection from the government.

"It takes real attention and action from the government to find solutions, such as through additional anti-dumping, safeguard, and import duties," said Budi.

According to him, these various policies can maintain a more conducive business climate after the stipulation of Permendag 8/2024.

In addition, Budi also hopes that the illegal anti-import task force formed by the Ministry of Trade can seriously monitor the import of plastic raw materials.

"The most important thing is that supervision can cover all sectors, including petrochemical products and their derivatives," said Budi.

Previously, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) revealed that he was reviewing the possibility of implementing two types of import duties, namely Safeguard Measure Import Duty (BMTP) and Anti-Dumping Import Duty (BMAD).

However, based on the results of a limited meeting (ratas) chaired by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) published by Zulhas, plastic goods are not included in the list of products that will receive special attention.

As for a number of products that will receive special attention, namely textiles and textile products (TPT), finished clothes, ceramics, electronics, cosmetics, textiles finished, and footwear.

Furthermore, Zulhas also said that the task force to deal with illegal imported goods would be launched on Friday, July 19, 2024.

He discussed the formation of an illegal import task force when he visited the Indonesian Attorney General's Office on Tuesday, July 16.

In addition to the AGO, the Minister of Trade explained that the task force would consist of the Police, as well as related ministries, such as the Ministry of Industry, to Kadin.