Govt to abolish airport tax

JAKARTA (JP): The government will abolish next year the departure tax that is currently imposed on Indonesian citizens departing the country through airports or seaports, Minister of Tourism and Art Djaelani Hidajat said on Thursday.

He said Indonesian citizens were currently required to pay a tax of Rp 1 million (US$117) if they traveled abroad through any airports in the country, or Rp 200,000 if they departed from any seaports.

Djaelani was quoted by Antara as saying from Seoul, where he made an official visit to a four-day tourism ministers meeting, that the government was intending to loosen up the country's immigration policy.

He said among the new immigration policy packages was the plan to simplify the visa registration process for Chinese citizens by granting visa exemptions for short visits.

The government also plans to include 20 more countries in its list for visa exemptions for short visits, which at present is granted to citizens of 42 countries, including ASEAN members, the U.S., Australia and South Korea. (cst)