Additional Import Duty Policy For Ceramic Imports Is Against, Minister Of Trade: I'm Not Afraid

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the government's move to implement additional import duties for ceramic imports was aimed at protecting domestic products.

However, it turns out that there are many parties who do not agree with the policy.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas said that he was used to it. So, he admitted that he was not afraid of the resistance.

"We have agreed that we will give import duties to anti dumping, we will give duties to enter security measures again, there are many opponents, but I'm already used to it, I'm no longer afraid, it's normal, sometimes I know the lobby is strong, but I keep going," he said during a working meeting with Commission VI of the DPR, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 4.

As is known, imports of ceramics will be subject to an anti dumping import duty (BMAD). The Ministry of Trade's proposal, the amount ranges from 40 to 50 percent.

Zulhas said the policy was the government's effort to maintain the circulation of imported ceramics in the local market.

This is because the imports of ceramics that enter the Indonesian market also interfere with competition with local products. Including the difficulty of competing in terms of selling price.

"We regulate it, but our basic principle is the same, we protect, take sides with SMEs, the local industry is actually not bargaining," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan alias Zulhas said the investigation related to ceramic imports carried out by the Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee (KADI) had been completed.

He said that later there would be an anti-damping Import (BMAD) determination of up to 50 percent.

Zulhas added that the results of the investigation are being studied by his party.

After being studied, he said, he would provide a letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Finance so that this regulation can be implemented immediately.

"I will send the results (reviu and recommendation letter from the Ministry of Trade) to the Ministry of Finance so that they enter (can immediately be inaugurated) Anti-Dumping is approximately 40 to 50 percent imposed," he said at the Customs Hoarding Site (TPP) Cikarang, West Java, Tuesday, August 6.