Debottlenecking Session Under Purbaya: Import Permits and Batam Land Issues in Focus
Jakarta — Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa chaired a debottlenecking session on Friday, 13 March 2026, to address key business barriers affecting investment and operations in Indonesia.
Three main issues were examined during the session. First, PT Samator Indo Gas requested an extension to its Import Permit (PI) from the Ministry of Trade for raw materials used in anaesthetic products for hospital use. Minister Purbaya assured the company that the matter would be resolved promptly, with the government dispatching a team to coordinate directly with the Ministry of Trade. “This will be sorted within a short time. I think it will be resolved even before Monday. We will send a team to discuss with the Ministry of Trade,” Purbaya told reporters after the session.
The second agenda addressed the lengthy process for issuing Indonesian National Standards (SNI), which currently lacks a defined service level agreement (SLA). Purbaya noted that SNI issuance typically takes more than a year, a timeframe deemed excessive by business operators. However, he acknowledged the Ministry of Industry’s commitment to expediting standards for products unavailable domestically, which he viewed as appropriate industrial protection.
The third issue sparked considerable debate regarding land management and strategic project designation in Batam. Deputy Batam Mayor Li Claudia Chandra contended that Batam, as an established free trade zone (FTZ), does not necessarily require National Strategic Project (PSN) designation to attract investment. “Batam does not need PSN, Minister. When I was first sworn in, I met the President and told him that Batam is already an FTZ and does not need PSN,” she stated.
Minister Purbaya acknowledged the underlying problem: unclear authority over land management in the zone. He indicated the government would permit BP Batam to assume management responsibilities if the agency possessed the necessary capacity. He requested the Ministry of Economic Coordination to clarify its policy on the matter within two weeks to prevent prolonged deliberation.