Darwin improves customs service

Darwin improves customs service

JAKARTA (JP): A preclearance facility for air and sea exports
from Darwin, Australia, to eastern Indonesian was launched on
Wednesday at the Frances Day shipyard in Darwin.

The customs facility will clear exports of products or
equipment leaving Darwin, the Northern Territory's Department of
Asian Relations and Trade said in a statement received here.

Department secretary Brian Ely and Indonesia's director
general of Customs and Excise R.B. Permana Agung witnessed the
launching ceremony at the yard belonging to Perkins Shipping Pty
Ltd.

A second consignment under the scheme was later cleared for
air-freight dispatch to Kupang from Darwin Airport.

The facility will benefit mining companies operating in
eastern Indonesia, which depend on imports from Australia for
their equipment supplies, the statement said.

It also will increase the opportunities for Darwin-based
companies to serve mining operations in Indonesia, it said.

Two Indonesian customs officials have been assigned to conduct
clearance of the import duty program in Darwin.

Ely believed the preclearance facility will contribute to the
Northern Territory government's objective of attracting companies
doing business in Indonesia to Darwin. (02)