The Ministry of Industry is determined to keep fighting for the needs of manufacturers in Indonesia so they can operate productively and increase their competitiveness. Strategic policies or regulations are therefore needed to support a conducive business climate.
“In principle, we are actively making various efforts to support national manufacturing, especially to increase the added value and competitiveness of domestic manufactured products,” Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/7).
The Minister said manufacturing currently faces various challenges, from both domestic and global conditions. “An example is repeated regulatory changes, such as the issuance of Permendag 8/2024, because these changes confuse domestic industry players,” he said.
Many associations and industry players have formally told the Minister that the content of Permendag 8/2024 could “kill” domestic industry. “Because under that rule, domestic industry will have great difficulty facing the onslaught of very cheap imported goods. This will of course lead to many companies closing and laying off workers,” he added.
However, some time ago, President Joko Widodo held a limited cabinet meeting to find solutions amid domestic industry's outcry. “Alhamdulillah, at that meeting, the measures we fought for were approved by the President, such as the imposition of BMTP and BMAD to protect domestic industry,” the Minister said.
Agus added that at the meeting he also proposed to the President that Permendag 36/2023 be reinstated. “The President said it should be studied immediately. In our view, Permendag 36/2023 is the most ideal,” he stressed.
Kemenperin is also fighting hard for the Certain Natural Gas Price (HGBT) program for industry to continue and reach more beneficiaries. “This is a very tough fight, because we face very powerful forces trying to block or not wanting the HGBT program to succeed. But we at Kemenperin will never give up,” he stressed.
Agus is grateful that at the meeting the President not only approved the continuation of the HGBT program, but also called for a more in-depth study on adding sectors to receive HGBT.
“In addition, we are proposing a Draft Government Regulation on Natural Gas for Domestic Needs. We have been fighting for the HGBT program for industry all along. Alhamdulillah, the President also approved the drafting of the regulation,” he explained.
Source: Press Release of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia