Four Export And Import Policies Amid The COVID-19 Outbreak

Press conference of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Trade on the export-import strategy, in Jakarta, Tuesday 3 March. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Trade will immediately release four stimulus policies to ensure the smooth traffic of exported and imported goods to anticipate the impact of the outbreak of the corona virus or COVID-19.

Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono, said that after the announcement of COVID-19 in Indonesia, there was an increase in the purchase of daily necessities. Therefore, the focus of the government is now on stock of goods and smooth supply.

Susiwijono said that the four policies to be released were aimed at stimulating the flow of exported and imported goods from other countries, given that trade activity with China was disrupted by this virus.

"Because the cycle since the corona virus outbreak was January 20-30, if from the goods logistics cycle, it is time for us to think about the supply of raw materials for our industry and exports. Stimulus will be issuing a policy in the near future. The point is we are accelerating exports. and imports, "he said in a press conference, at Hotel Borobudur, Gambir, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3.

This policy has been formulated by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and the Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto. The policy will be released in the near future after coordination is completed and agreed upon.

The four policies, namely, first, the government will simplify the rules for prohibiting restrictions or trading systems related to exports, starting from the rules for the Verification and Timber Legality System (SVLK), 'health certificates' and certificates of origin.

"In essence, all regulations on the export trade system are requested to be simplified, and if not necessary, abolished. This afternoon, the ranks with the Ministry of Trade and other ministries / institutions discussed the simulation," he explained.

Second, the government will reduce the prohibition on trade restrictions on imports. Especially imports of raw materials. The goal is to avoid being constrained in the import process.

Third, continued Susiwijono, the government will accelerate the import process for 500 reputable importers to facilitate the import of raw materials and industrial auxiliary materials.

"Fourth, the government will reduce logistic costs, make efficiency in the logistics process by encouraging what is called the national logistic ecosystem. Which will be later integrated into the INSW system, single window with the inaportnet system," he said.