Proposal Give Subsidies Directly To Soybean Importers, Minister Of Trade Zulhas: I Trust Entrepreneurs, If The Old Bulog

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan suggested that soybean price difference subsidies that have been given to to tofu and tempe craftsmen can be given directly through importers.

This is to facilitate the provision of subsidies which have been considered complicated.

"I believe in entrepreneurs. For the old Bulog," he told reporters, written Monday, January 16.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, explained that so far, so far, soybean commodities, Indonesia still depend on imports.

Therefore, Zulhas submitted a proposal for a subsidy on the difference in soybean prices to a limited coordination meeting (rakortas) chaired by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

"Now it's still to people, to cooperatives that produce tofu and tempeh (copty). I have suggested that the subsidy be directly priced to importers," he said.

Zulhas assessed that the price difference subsidy of IDR 1,000 per kilogram would be better given to importers, so that they could immediately become price subsidies.

For example, said Zulhas, if the price of soybeans is Rp. 12,000 per kilogram (kg), the government provides subsidies to importers of Rp. 1,000 per kg. So that importers sell to cooperatives to to tofu and tempe craftsmen at a price of Rp. 11,000 per kg.

"Well, that's runut. Now, through Kopti's promotion, one must have a permit. It's complicated. I want to make you know why my life is complicated," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi emphasized that the subsidy for importers was only limited to a proposal submitted by the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan.

Arief said, the subsidy mechanism is still being discussed and the rules must be made in writing.

"But believe me that the government is preparing subsidies if the price is high for tofu- tempeh craftsmen," said Arief.