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Industry Ministry defends import restriction on laptops, TVs, ACs
According to the government, the import restrictions are necessary to help boost domestic manufacturing capabilities as a means to tackle the trade deficit, especially in the electronics industry.
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Goods are unloaded on March 24 from a foreign-flagged cargo ship at the Jakarta International Container Terminal at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
T
he Industry Ministry has defended a regulation that restricts the importation of certain electronic devices and household appliances as intended to boost domestic manufacturing, in line with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's directive to address the trade deficit in the electronics industry.
The import restriction, which covers devices such as laptops, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines, is outlined in Industry Ministerial Regulation No. 6/2024, which went into effect on Feb. 6.
The regulation mandates ministerial approval to import over half the goods classified in 139 tariff posts and the remainder to obtain a surveyor report (LS).
"We are not against imports. We simply aim to maintain a favorable climate for the domestic industry, particularly for products that can be manufactured locally,” Priyadi Arie Nugroho, the Industry Ministry’s electronics and telematics director, said in a statement on Monday.
“It also provides importers with assurance regarding the distribution and sales of their products in Indonesia," Priyadi said.
The ministry’s response came after several companies, including foreign investors in the automotive and electronics industries, expressed concern over recently imposed import restrictions, citing a risk of out-of-stock events and temporary production stoppages.
In late December, the Trade Ministry issued regulation No. 36/2023 on general restrictions for imports. This regulation, which also contains provisions on importing electronics, came into effect on March 10, 2024.
