Jakarta(ANTARA News) - The government has adjusted the tariffs of income tax on the import of goods in 1,147 tariff headings as part of its policy to control imports of consumer goods to reduce current account deficit.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani told reporters in a news conference here on Wednesday the regulation of the Finance Minister was already signed seven days earlier.

"We hope the public could see that the government wants to move fast and on the other has to be selective as the situation is not normal. We have to do something we would not do in a normal situation," the Minister said.

Sri Mulyani said the tariff of income tax on the import of 719 commodities would rise from 2.5 percent to 7.5 percent . The commodities include textiles, ceramics, cables and boks speakers.

The tariff of income tax on the import of 218 commodities increased from 2.5 percent to 10 percent. The commodities are consumer goods, which are mostly already produced domestically such as electronic goods (room coolers , lamp and daily need goods.

The tariff of income tax on the import of 210 commodities was raised from 7.5 percent to 10 percent . The commodities include luxury goods such as completely built up cars and big bikes.

The government also decided not to change the 2.5 percent tariff of income tax on the import of 57 commodities, which are considered important basic materials.

Imports of the 1,147 commodities were valued at US$6.6 billion in 2017 . From January to August 2018 imports of the 1,147 commodities were valued at US$5 billion .

Without adjustment in the import tariffs, the import value in 2018 is predicted to rise significantly.

Sri Mulyani also asked business people in the country to see the adjustment of the import income tax tariffs as an opportunity to boost the country`s industrial performance.

Reporting by Calvin Basuki
Editing by A Saragih, Suharto
(T.SYS/A/H-ASG/C/S012) 05-09-2018 20:07:22

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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