Minister Of Industry Calls Ratas For Transferring Import Entrances To Eastern Indonesia Will Be Done The Day After Tomorrow

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said discussions on the transfer of entrances or entry points for imported goods to eastern Indonesia will soon be met with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) this week.

This was conveyed by Minister of Industry Agus after attending a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission VII DPR RI at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, August 26.

"The material is almost finished and God willing, the day after tomorrow we will go to the President (Joko Widodo) to ask (to hold) Ratas (limited meeting)," said Agus.

Agus said that the diversion of the entrance would be applied to seven industrial commodities, such as textiles and textile products (TPT), finished clothing, ceramics, electronic devices, beauty products, finished textiles and footwear.

"So it's not tightened. Enter Indonesia please, yes. But, for these 7 commodities we will determine the entrance through ports in eastern Indonesia," he said.

According to Agus, the idea of diverting the entrance began with the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan. So, said the Minister of Industry, his party has also coordinated with the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag).

"You have to (coordinate), please. But, I think Pak Zul (Minister of Trade) also has the same thoughts because the initial idea was from him," said Agus.

Furthermore, Agus said, the plan to transfer entrances or entry points to eastern Indonesia is expected to boost the performance of the domestic industry. "Let our industry be more competitive," he added.

Previously, Minister of Industry Agus had met with Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan to discuss the formation of a task force or task force to eradicate illegal imported goods entering Indonesia.

Agus said that during the meeting, he and the Minister of Trade Zulhas agreed to propose to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the transfer of entrances or entry points.

Agus hopes that in the future the entrance to these items will be in Sorong, West Papua or Belitung, Bangka Belitung, before entering Java Island.

"What we have agreed on together with the technical team will discuss and propose to the president regarding the transfer of entry points for goods from the seven commodities that have been determined," Agus said when met at his office, Friday, July 19.

"And we plan to make another suggestion, hopefully there will be policies for these items when entering Indonesia, the entrance or entry points before going to Java are in Sorong or Belitung," he added.

He considered that this would provide a positive value because of the formation of a new center for economic activity whose development began from ports and to more advanced cities.

"Of course there will be questions about whether the infrastructure is ready, the humans are ready. So, there should be no reason not to be ready. Maybe later those who will answer the infrastructure readiness and humans will be under customs duties," he said.