Textile Association Asks Minister Of Finance To Discuss Steps To Save The National Textile Industry

Illustration of the textile industry. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Filament Filament Filaments (APSyFI) has sent an official letter to the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadives, to discuss a strategy to save the national textile and textile (TPT) industry which is facing heavy pressure due to rampant illegal imports and dumping practices.

Head of APSYFI Redma Gita Wirawasta said that the Minister of Finance's attention to the issue of illegal import quotas has become a breath of fresh air for textile industry players.

"The relationship between synergy and harmony between the government and business actors needs to be continued," said Redma in a written statement in Jakarta, Sunday.

Redma explained that the integration of textile industry supply chains from upstream to downstream sectors is now disrupted by the flood of imported products that are not officially recorded. He highlighted the significant difference between Indonesia's trade data and export data from trading partner countries, which indicates the high probability of imports without reporting to the Customs system.

This condition, according to him, not only harms state revenue, but also suppresses the competitiveness of local products in the domestic market.

For this reason, APSYFI urges the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to strengthen the monitoring system and review the procedures for receiving imported goods at ports. One of the gaps highlighted is the non-optimal use of the port-to-port manifest system.

"Importors can create a Goods Import Notification (PIB) document without referring to the Master Bill of Lading (B/L). This gap opens space for the practice of misdeclare, under invoicing, and escape of the HS code," said Redma.

In addition, APSYFI also criticized the lack of use of AI Scanner in the process of checking and providing import facilities that were considered excessive and prone to misuse.

The association hopes to hold a meeting with the Indonesian Textile Association (API) and the Ministry of Finance to discuss in depth the current condition of the TPT industry, including the economic and social impact of the trade remedies policy on illegal imports.

"The rescue of the textile industry is not only about factories, but also about millions of workers and regional economic sustainability," said Redma.