Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has outlined four steps to optimize the domestic industry in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We must look back at all the potential resources that we have in our country, especially the domestic industry for COVID-19, both the pharmaceutical raw material industry, related to PPE, masks, or those related to other industries," President Jokowi stated during a limited cabinet meeting held via videoconferencing on Optimization of the Domestic Industry for COVID-19 Response from the Merdeka Palace here on Wednesday.

First, the president believes that management related to exports should be improved to ensure that exports do not affect the domestic industry in meeting domestic demands.

The president is also looking to aptly regulate supply management, so that the domestic production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks in large quantities can be sufficient to proportionally meet the demands of domestic and export markets.

The second step is to relax the licensing process, so that it does not hinder businesses. The president believes that the licensing procedure must be eased and the standardization of PPE and mask products must not be too complex.

The third step concerns the availability of raw materials that partly have to be imported.

The president has called on the Customs and Excise office and the Ministry of Trade as well as others related agencies to offer a relaxation policy, so that the licensing process can be faster and more integrated.

The fourth step is related to fiscal incentives that are expected to be directed to MSME industries.

"Fiscal incentives should please be directed to our MSME industries that produce these goods," the president stated.

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Translator: Hanni Sofia, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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