He noted that Indonesia's main focus is still on realizing food and energy self-sufficiency. The import quota elimination will only be limited to certain sectors.
He explained here on Thursday that the current import quotas are not efficient because they involve a long chain.
He said that going forward, business players will be able to directly submit requests for import permits to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade.
He further emphasized that domestic production must continue to be prioritized and protected, adding that the elimination of import quotas does not mean that all parties can freely import goods from abroad.
"It does not mean it is opened as wide as possible and then we let the domestic industry die," the deputy minister emphasized.
Related news: Prabowo urges end to import quotas to boost business competition
Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto instructed the Red and White Cabinet to eliminate import quotas to support businesses, particularly those with global partnerships.
"I have given an instruction to eliminate import quotas, especially for goods that are related to the livelihoods of many people," he said during the National Economic Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The President's directive aims to address complaints from businesses partnered with global companies, especially those from the US.
Those businesses have expressed concerns that the rules on imports in Indonesia create uncertainty in the negotiation process between companies, which can lead to delays.
Hence, to guarantee certainty regarding the import mechanism, the President has proposed eliminating import quotas as part of deregulation efforts, which are aimed at fostering healthy business competition in Indonesia.
"That is one of our efforts to streamline and facilitate the business climate. We should make businesspeople feel facilitated," he added.
Related news: Prabowo import quota erasure breath of fresh air, DPR says
Translator: Maria Cicilia, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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