Indonesia' import tariffs are safe from GATT Acts<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Indonesia's import tariffs average at
\n20 percent, far below the 40 percent required by the Final Acts
\nof the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that will be
\nimplemented early next year.<\/p>\n
\"It means we are safe as we still have room of 20 percent, in
\ncase we have to take safeguard measures against imports which may
\nharm our local industry,\" Rijanto B. Josokoemoro, chief of
\nForeign Trade Research and Development of the Ministry of Trade,
\ntold journalists during a three-day workshop, which ended on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The workshop discussed the results of the Uruguay Round of the
\nGATT negotiations, which were signed in Marrakesh last April.<\/p>\n
He noted that Indonesia, anticipating barrier-free world
\ntrade, has introduced deregulatory measures to liberalize imports
\nby lowering tariffs and reducing non-tariff barriers since 1986.
\nThe last deregulation was introduced on June 27, when the
\ngovernment cut import duties on 739 kinds of goods, removed non-
\ntariff barriers from 27 commodities and lifted surcharges from
\n108 other import items.<\/p>\n
Iwan Purwana, director of exports of industrial and mining
\nproducts at the Ministry of Trade, said the number of goods
\nsubject to import duties of over 40 percent totals only 505 --
\nmostly those sensitive to price fluctuations on the world market,
\nsuch as automotive vehicles, plastics and rubber -- out of more
\nthan 8,000 kinds of goods.<\/p>\n
Paian Nainggolan, head of the ministry's Trade Research and
\nDevelopment Agency, said the government will continue to
\nliberalize its import sector in line with GATT principles.<\/p>\n
The Marrakesh agreement stipulates that all signatories are
\ngiven four years to adjust their trade regulations to GATT
\nprinciples. If the time limit is not adequate for the GATT
\nsignatories to make adjustments, an additional six years will be
\ngiven to developing countries and four years to developed
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Right path<\/p>\n
Sherry M. Stephenson, the ministry's consultant on trade
\npolicy programs, praised Indonesia's current standing on trade,
\nsaying that Indonesia in going in the right direction by
\nliberalizing its imports.<\/p>\n
She compared Indonesia with Chile which she considered to be
\none step ahead in liberalizing its trade. \"Liberalization turns
\nout to be effective in making industry more efficient.\"<\/p>\n
To better prepare for the full implementation of GATT's rules,
\nStephenson suggested that Indonesia pay more attention to three
\npoints: customs, quality standards and trade-related intellectual
\nproperty rights (TRIPs).<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia should move quickly to adjust itself with GATT's
\nrules, especially on TRIPs, as the time limit of four years is
\nnot long,\" Stephenson said.<\/p>\n
Nainggolan agreed with Stephenson's suggestion, saying that
\nIndonesia should try hard to comply with every condition set by
\nGATT.<\/p>\n
\"Although they (conditions) are actually created by developed
\nnations, we have to comply with them. Otherwise we will lose
\nforever as it's almost impossible to beat developed nations in
\nbilateral negotiations. But in GATT, we have chances of beating
\nthem in a multilateral manner,\" Nainggolan said. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-import-tariffs-are-safe-from-gatt-acts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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