He remarked in Jakarta on Friday that Indonesia has been witnessing a glut of imported textiles, textile products, electronics, footwear, clothes, ceramics, and cosmetics entering its markets via ports located on Java Island.
Hasan expressed belief that by shifting the main entry gates of the seven imported goods to ports outside Java, the government would be able to propel the costs of logistics, which, in turn, would shoot up the selling prices of such commodities.
The minister then stated that the suggestion of shifting the entry ports had been conveyed to Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, adding that they had agreed to follow up on this matter during a limited meeting.
"I and Mr. Minister of Industry are seeking to hold a limited meeting to decide whether it is possible to relocate the import entrances to other locations," he pointed out.
On the same occasion, Minister Kartasasmita stated that the government is contemplating shifting import entry points to ports in the country's eastern regions.
The minister observed that actualizing that discourse would help the government suppress the circulation of imported goods by making their prices less affordable.
"We might shift the entry ports to regions in the east in a bid to create notable multiplier effects. However, we will need to discuss this plan first," he remarked.
Recently, the Indonesian government began paying closer attention to the inflow of the seven commodities, suspecting that their overcrowding in domestic markets has been hurting domestic businesses, thereby resulting in the shuttering of textile businesses and waves of layoffs in the industry.
In response, President Joko Widodo held a limited meeting with several ministers in Jakarta on June 25. During the meeting, Minister Kartasasmita proposed re-enacting Trade Minister's Regulation No. 8 of 2024 to help suppress the waves of layoffs.
On June 27, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani revealed that the Indonesian government is currently devising regulations on the imposition of anti-dumping import duties and safeguard measures with regard to import duties to protect the national textile industry.
"Our main objective is to provide continued and reasonable protection to the domestic industry from unfair competition resulting from imports," she stated.
Related news: Govt allows retailers to sell used clothing but not imported ones
Related news: Govt urges Instagram to take down accounts selling thrifted clothing
Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
