DPR Calls for Quarantine Certification Overhaul to Boost National Exports

The House of Representatives (DPR) has urged the government, through relevant agencies, to ease the quarantine certification process in order to boost national commodity exports. Commission IV of the DPR assessed that while the number of food security laboratories covering plants, fisheries, and livestock is sufficient, the main issue lies in outdated technology that does not meet the requirements of export destination countries. “I think everything is there, it’s just that some of the equipment is rather outdated and does not comply with the demands of our export destination countries,” said Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, Deputy Chairman of Commission IV, in Tangerang on Friday. He noted that this limitation forces some Indonesian exports to be sent to neighbouring countries just to obtain specific laboratory certifications. “There are several types of our exports that have to seek lab certification in our neighbouring countries,” he said. Almasyhari stated that the Commission agrees to bring this issue to a meeting to fully support the modernization of laboratory equipment, ensuring that Indonesia no longer needs to rely on other countries for certification. He added that upgrading testing facilities would not only facilitate domestic businesses but also directly increase national export volumes and boost Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP). “We will bring this to a meeting with our colleagues in Commission IV to fully support it as much as possible. If we support the procurement of this equipment, PNBP will certainly also increase,” he concluded.