VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

On the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit, President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India on Thursday (25/1). In the meeting, President Joko Widodo conveyed the importance of efforts to improve economic cooperation. He assessed that the bilateral trade between the two countries has actually begun to grow since last year but still far from the real potential. President Joko Widodo hopes to enhance trade, including eliminating trade barriers. President Joko Widodo also pointed out that the increase in import duty rates is high enough to palm oil to India. The increase in the price of palm oil will affect Indonesia's exports. President Joko Widodo asserted that if Indonesia's palm oil exports are reduced, surely it will also affect the fulfillment of India's growing market needs. Thus, he strongly expects the Indian government to reconsider tariff policy on vegetable oil. (Release of the palace press bureau/Trans by Rhm)

Indonesian Ministry of Trade requires exporters and importers to use ships owned by Indonesian national shipping companies in their trading activities. Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Oke Nurwan said that Indonesia has not optimally maximized the potential in the field of shipping and trade insurance services. he explained in Jakarta on Thursday, (January 25^th) that the use of national ships for the movement of domestic goods has been 95 percent. However, for international shipping, the number is still very small. Therefore, the government requires exporters and importers to use national shipping through Regulation of the Minister of Trade No. 82/2017 on Terms of Use of Sea Transport and National Insurance for Export and Import of Certain Goods. He also said that the policy is part of the package of 15^th economic policy.  Oke said “…Because, there is no trigger if we do not intervene. Well, with 82^nd ministerial regulation, we have a mandatory trigger. Well… later, we will arrange the exceptions”. 

Oke further explained that so far, exporters and importers have been in favor to use foreign shipping companies. Since, they are easier in terms of bureaucracy. Thus, the government will invite national shipping companies, insurance companies and exporters and importers to meet and discuss the issues. In the first phase, Oke targets that to export coal and crude palm oil -CPO is obliged to use national shipping services, and then other commodities will follow. This policy will take effect from 1^st of May 2018. (Sekar/trans by Rezha)

Indonesian Ministry of Trade simplifies the regulation and supervision of the import trade system. Director General of Foreign Trade, Oke Nurwan said, this simplification aims to improve the ease of business or ease of doing business. After the event "Socialization of Regulatory Simplification and Monitoring of Import Import in Post Border" held in Jakarta, on Thursday, January 25^th, he explained, there are five thousand two hundred goods prohibited or limited imports from total 10 thousand of goods. During this time, goods restricted imports, or called Lartas, are supervised by customs or in the Border. Customs controls the completeness of Lartas import permit documents which are publicized by various Ministries. Now, through the new policy, about two thousand two hundred kinds of Lartas are no longer checked in at Customs. The Lartas will be supervised by Indonesian Ministry of Trade and other Ministries or called the Post Border.

Mr. Oke further said: "The impact is the flow of goods will become more smoothly. Because our goal is facilitating the flow of goods in order to make lower figure of ease of doing business. The ranking also rises". 

Oke also explained, the goods are still checked in Post Border including pearl products, toys, horticultural products, ceramics, and so forth. Safety, health and safety related items will be kept under surveillance in the Border or at the Customs. With the new policy, the importer only needs to make an online statement or self-declaration online that the completeness of the product is complete. Accordingly, the Customs no longer supervises the completeness of the Lartas document. (Sekar/trs Rezha)