Visits to Australia exempt from tax<\/p>\n
KUPANG, E Nusa Tenggara (Antara): Indonesians living in the
\nIndonesia-Australia economic cooperation areas -- such as
\nKalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Irian Jaya, East Nusa Tenggara and
\nWest Nusa Tenggara -- are to be exempt from paying departure tax
\nwhen visiting Australia.<\/p>\n
Joint chairman of the East Nusa Tenggara, West Timorese and
\nnorthern Australian Business Communication Forum, Ferdi Tanoni,
\ndisclosed here Tuesday that the departure tax exemption was
\nprovided for by a decree of the Indonesian minister of finance
\ndated May 19 last.<\/p>\n
\"This decree is a progressive measure. But it is regrettable
\nthat it has not been properly publicized by the authorities
\nconcerned, especially as it came into force on July 1,\" Ferdi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to him, the proposal for the foreign departure tax
\nexemptions, specifically for destinations in Australia, was
\nsubmitted by the Communication Forum and the East Nusa Tenggara
\nprovincial government five years ago through the Australia-
\nIndonesia Development Area (AIDA) cooperation forum for further
\ndeliberation at ministerial level in both countries.<\/p>\n
\"We made the proposal as the Rp 1 million exit tax when
\nvisiting Australia by air is a great burden for most
\nentrepreneurs in eastern Indonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ferdi pointed out that the Communication Forum and the East
\nNusa Tenggara provincial government suggested the exemption in
\norder to enhance social, economic and cultural cooperation
\nbetween Eastern Indonesia, particularly East Nusa Tenggara, and
\nnorthern Australia.<\/p>\n
The departure tax exemption, he said, has had a positive
\nimpact on Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, which
\nhas a direct air link to Darwin in Northern Australia.<\/p>\n
As a consequence, the provincial government and local
\nlegislative assembly should demand that Kupang be made the
\ngateway in the southern part of eastern Indonesia, to Australia
\nand the Asia-Pacific region, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I think it (this status) is appropriate because only Kupang
\nhas direct flights to northern Australia. Kupang's position is
\nquite strategic. It only needs a political decision to confirm
\nit,\" Ferdi said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the departure tax exemption and the
\nconferring of gateway status on Kupang would help develop a new
\neconomic growth center in the southern part of eastern Indonesia,
\nconsisting primarily of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara,
\nWest Timor and northern Australia.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/visits-to-australia-exempt-from-tax-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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