Govt mulls import limits on mobile phones and computers

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 10/15/2008 7:07 PM | Business

The government will hold a meeting Sunday to decide on a proposal to ban third-party importing of mobile phones and computers. Products could still be brought in by companies importing their own brands, an official said.

Deputy Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Affairs Edy Putra Irawadi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday the measure under consideration could be implemented more broadly, but they would first focus on mobile phones and computers.

Edy said the current global financial crisis had triggered the measure, since the government needed to reduce pressure on the foreign currency balance induced by imports while curbing pressure from weakening global demand for Indonesian products.

The proposed regulation, he said, had already been approved by the acting coordinating minister for the economy and was still awaiting approval from relevant ministries.

The government has so far implemented such regulations on the automotive industry where only brand owners can import the majority of their products.

"The regulation would require the brand holder to establish a production base here if they want access to the Indonesian market," Edy said.

Companies holding the brands, he said, would be afforded six months to two years to establish a production base here. (ast)

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