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)