FKEI demands transparent textile quotas

FKEI demands transparent textile quotas

JAKARTA (JP): About 20 members of the Indonesian Exporters
Communication Forum (FKEI) yesterday asked the Ministry of
Industry and Trade to improve the export quota-distribution
system by making it more transparent.

The FKEI members protested in front of the ministry, unfurling
banners expressing their discontent over what they say is unfair
distribution and poor management of export quotas for textile and
textile-related products.

According to Antara the group demanded a meeting with Minister
Tunky Ariwibowo but failed to get one because he was campaigning
for Golkar in South Sumatra.

Herman, one of the group, met with Arifin Djuhri, an official
from the Ministry's Inspectorate General.

In a written statement, the FKEI said there was discrimination
in the way quotas were allotted to large, medium and small
exporters. The group said there was collusion between large
exporters and the Ministry's Director for Exports.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade distributes export quotas
to textile producers who then use them to export their products
to the countries that set the quotas.

About 60 percent of exports textiles and textile-related
products are exported under quota schemes. (pwn)