Fund examines customs problems<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Two experts from the International Monetary Fund are here on a
\nten-day special assignment to examine customs and tax problems
\nwhich have been raised by industrial associations and foreign
\nchambers of commerce.<\/p>\n
They will meet with business leaders and executives of various
\nindustrial associations to learn more about problems in the
\ncustoms and tax services as part of an overall review of
\nIndonesia's economic reform programs, informed sources said over
\nthe weekend.<\/p>\n
There have been increasing complaints from businesses about
\nunfair competition from foreign goods, which enter the country
\nthrough smuggling or under-invoicing practices. They blame the
\nproblem mainly on what they consider the technical incompetence
\nand corruption by customs officials.<\/p>\n
\" The fourth reform agreement with the IMF has stipulated a
\ncomprehensive reform program in the tax sector, including the
\nestablishment of special rules and administrative offices for
\nlarge taxpayers, but the government has yet to initiate new
\nmeasures in the customs service,\" the sources added.<\/p>\n
Textile, footwear and electronic industrial associations and
\nbusiness leaders including Sofjan Wanandi of the Indonesian
\nNational Economic Recovery Committee, and James Castle, president
\nof the American Chamber of Commerce, have urged the government to
\nreintroduce a pre-shipment inspection system for imports.<\/p>\n
The Japan Club, the association of Japanese businesspeople in
\nIndonesia, has also set up two working committees in charge of
\ncustoms and tax problems.<\/p>\n
Then president Soeharto stripped the corruption-infested
\ncustoms service of its inspection authority and introduced a pre-
\nshipment inspection system in 1985 until 1997 to facilitate the
\nsmoother flow of imports and safeguard duty and tax revenues.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fund-examines-customs-problems-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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