"The increase in the import of Chinese (furniture and handicraft) goods has reached more than 50 percent," ASMINDO Chief Ambar Tjahyono said on Thursday.
The figure was based on the results of a study made at the end of 2010, he said adding the import of Chinese furniture and handicraft goods was expected to further increase this year.
He said Chinese furniture and handicraft goods represented around one-third of the domestic market which reached US%900 million.
An unusual surge in the flow of Chinese goods into the domestic market has sparked protest from many circles with some of them calling on the government to review the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) implemented since early last year.
In response, the government will install an early warning system at the country`s main customs offices to detect the influx of Chinese goods into the domestic market.
Earlier, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said Indonesia`s imports from China were mainly dominated by raw materials needed by the domestic industries.
Two-way trade between Indonesia and China reached US$36.11 billion last year, with Indonesia recording a deficit of US$4.73 billion.
In the first two months of 2011, Indonesia`s non-oil/gas trade deficit with China was recorded at US$0.98 billion, up US$0.19 billion compared with the same period last year. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
