Taxing product
\ncomponents<\/p>\n
I refer to the article Diamonds not Indonesia's best friend,
\nyet at least\". (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 15). I reply as a jewelry
\ndesigner living in Bali.<\/p>\n
Java and Bali have excellent silver workers but many of their
\ndesigns are not appropriate for western markets. There are many
\nforeign designers in Bali serving as a bridge to wider markets,
\nand they are the key to expanding this industry, not higher
\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately bureaucracy prevents this industry from really
\nblooming by creating many obstacles for foreign designers to live
\nand work here. There is even a requirement that they have a
\ndiploma in design ... I know of at least 10 major designers based
\nhere whose work is very successful. None of them has ever been to
\na design school.<\/p>\n
This kind of creativity can't be learned in school. Also there
\nis a tax on imported semiprecious stones, which makes the cost of
\nstone-set jewelry higher. When trying to develop an export
\nindustry, it makes no sense to tax product components.<\/p>\n
Lastly, where are all these Indonesian gemstones? We designers
\nwould love to introduce them to the world, but they never appear
\nin Bali's gem wholesale shops.<\/p>\n
HAZEL FOX
\nUbud, Bali<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/taxing-product-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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