The new mining bill approved by the House of Representatives, or DPR, on Dec. 16, has drawn strong reactions from industry players, who argue that the new bill, which substitutes the old contract of work system with a new permits scheme, could scare off investments in the sector.

The government will give holders of existing mining rights, or KPs, three options to bring their mining areas into line with the restrictions imposed by the recently enacted mining law, so as to help them avoid forfeiting their concessions if they are incapable of fully developing them.

The country’s hotels and restaurants are now chronically short of imported foods and beverages, with hospitality sector associations blaming a Trade Ministry regulation implemented in November that requires strict import-inspection labeling, or ML, on foreign food products.