Govt to abolish airport tax

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)