Govt waives ship tax

JAKARTA (JP): The government, through a ministerial decree, has waived tax on the transfer of ship ownership in a bid to encourage the development of domestic shipping and fishery industries.

The decree, dated June 19, stipulates that such a tax facility applies to ships procured by domestic firms or individuals from either foreign or domestic sellers.

To further encourage domestic shipping and fishery industries, the government is expected to announce today another reform package, which includes a lifting of the ban on buying and operating foreign ships in Indonesian waters. (rid)