Riani Sanusi Putri, Jakarta – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has responded to the Ministry of Trade's plan to prohibit the sale of imported goods valued lower than US$100 or approximately Rp1.5 million on marketplaces. Sandiaga stated that the policy will help to safeguard micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
However, he pointed out several issues that may need to be considered. "I am concerned that the imported goods below Rp1.5 million are possibly raw materials, not the finished products," Sandiaga said during a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta on Monday, August 7, 2023.
Sandiaga mentioned that the imported raw materials could be processed into more valuable products in Jakarta and throughout Indonesia. Therefore, he expressed the need to thoroughly examine the data related to the import of these goods.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the government continues to take efforts to strengthen local MSMEs. Consequently, the regulation is intended to protect MSMEs and prevent them from being overwhelmed by imported goods.
Furthermore, Sandiaga asserted that many of the imported products entered the country illegally and often have low quality.
The restriction on selling imported goods is stipulated in the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 50 of 2020 concerning Business Licensing, Advertising, Development, and Supervision of Businesses in Electronic Trading (PPMSE).
The government is currently in the process of revising the regulation, which will include the restriction on the sale of imported goods with a minimum value of US$100 per unit on marketplaces. Additionally, this regulation will also include provisions on trading activities within social commerce.