CHAIRMAN of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) Shinta Widjaja Kamdani said that the decision to revise Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 8/2024 concerning the Third Amendment to Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023 concerning Import Policies and Regulations rests with the government. He conveyed this in response to regulations which were said to be the cause of the sluggish textile industry in Indonesia, resulting in losses experienced by large companies such as Sritex, which was officially declared bankrupt.
“We will submit that (Permendag 8/2024) to the government,” said Shinta when met at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Wednesday (30/10).
According to Shinta, the thing that needs to be eradicated is the problem of illegal imports. The flood of imported products is detrimental to domestic entrepreneurs and industry.
“But the principle that we always emphasize is that we have to eradicate illegal imports. Because illegal imports are something that clearly has a big impact,” he added.
Apart from eradicating illegal imports, in an effort to protect domestic industry, Shinta emphasized that the implementation of safeguard measure import duties (BMTP) and anti-dumping import duties (BMAD) must also be encouraged.
“That’s what we have to do all this time,” he added.
Regarding efforts to save Sritex that will be carried out by the government, Shinta said that the government needs to minimize the impact of the sluggish domestic industry. Because the company will increase efficiency and this will result in employee reduction.
“We just remind you that the current conditions, especially layoffs (layoffs) and so on, will have a big impact. So we hope that elements such as large layoffs will be minimized,” he said. (D-3)
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**Interview with Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Shinta. Recently, the Indonesian government announced plans to support the textile industry, particularly in relation to Sritex’s import-export activities. What are your thoughts on this initiative?
**Shinta:** Thank you for having me. I believe this initiative is crucial for the sustainability of our textile industry. Sritex is a key player in the market, and ensuring its continued ability to engage in import-export activities can help revitalize not just the company but the entire sector.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned before that changes to the Minister of Trade Regulation 8/2024 could affect the textile industry. Can you elaborate on this?
**Shinta:** Certainly. The regulations put in place can create significant challenges for our companies. Many industry players have expressed concerns that the current import policies are restrictive, which hampers competitiveness and innovation. The decision to revise these regulations lies ultimately with the government, and it is essential for them to consider the feedback and realities faced by businesses in this sector.
**Interviewer:** With losses reported by companies like Sritex, what do you think should be the government’s next steps?
**Shinta:** Beyond merely maintaining import-export activities, the government needs to engage in dialogue with stakeholders to understand the broader implications of their policies. This could mean offering incentives to manufacturers or re-evaluating tariffs that affect raw material imports. It’s about creating a supportive ecosystem for all players, from large enterprises to small factories.
**Interviewer:** What message would you like to convey to the government regarding the textile industry’s future?
**Shinta:** My message is clear: we need collaboration. The textile industry is vital not just for economic growth but also for job creation. By working together and listening to the industry’s needs, we can foster a stronger, more resilient textile sector in Indonesia. I hope the government will take this opportunity to drive meaningful change.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Shinta, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how the government’s support unfolds in the coming months.
**Shinta:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to a positive outcome for our industry.
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