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Gold jewelers seek permits to import used machines from Italy
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John Hardy's for men bracelets are part of its new Spring 2017 collection. (John Hardy/File)
I
ndonesia Association of Goldsmith and Jewelers (APEPI) has requested the Industry Ministry to allow businesspeople to import used machinery from Italy, the world's jewelry hub.
Many jewelry firms in Italy were shut down amid global economic slowdown, leaving many machines unused although they still work accurately, said major gold jeweler PT Usaha Bersama Sejahtera (UBS) president director Eddy Susanto Yahya
UBS is member of APEPI.
However, Eddy added, the government prohibited the import of the used machines.
(Read also: Industry Minister visits major jewelry maker UBS in Surabaya)
While an updated number of jewelers in Italy is not available, various data shows the number decreased to 885 in 2008 from 1,225 in 2001.
"We hope we can facilitate the import of the used machines. They are over 20 years in age and still good," Eddy said.
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said some used machines are banned from entering the country, but there are certain exceptions for the industry to ask for import recommendation letters from the ministry's metal, machinery, transportation equipment and electronic industry (ILMATE) directorate general.
Jewelry has traditionally been one of Indonesia's biggest export commodities.
Last year, the commodity was the fourth biggest export at US$6.36 billion export, a 4.58 percent increase year on year.
The biggest buyers in 2016 were Switzerland, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. (bbn)
