"I think it is already up to the president. Let us see. I also want to try asking that," Pandjaitan remarked after accompanying President Jokowi, who had met Softbank and Grab leaders at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday.
He believed the presidential regulation on electric cars will soon be issued at least this week.
"Not too long. This also involves incentives for people, who set up factories. Earlier, Softbank had also invested in Hyundai to make electric cars," he noted.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati had earlier also stated that Presidential Regulation on the Acceleration of the Battery-Based Electric Vehicle Program and Government Regulation on value added tax on motorized vehicles (luxurious goods) will be signed by President Jokowi this week.
"This week, the automotive industry is expected to continue to improve innovation, productivity, and competitiveness," the finance minister stated on the sidelines of the Gaikindo International Auto Show (GIIAS) in Tangerang, Wednesday, (July 24).
Indrawati explained that the government will provide several incentives concerning the development of electric cars, including imports of electric vehicles within a certain period of time, as well as the provision of tax allowances for the spare parts industry.
A tax holiday will also be granted to electric vehicles integrated with electricity and batteries, while tax allowances will also be offered to the spare parts industry. In addition, the government will bear import duties for the imports of electric vehicles among other facilities.
Oil spill
In the meantime, speaking in connection with the oil spill in Karawang District, West Java, Pandjaitan stated that the problem had been well contained.
"On last Friday, the upstream director of (state oil/gas company PT Pertamina) informed me that they had urged an experienced company to handle it," he noted.
He stressed that the accident had been handled properly. "Accidents can happen anywhere," he remarked.
He confirmed that fishermen, unable to venture into sea, will receive compensation.
"I do not know how much Pertamina has prepared," Pandjaitan stated.Close
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Agus Salim/Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
