Indonesia to stop import used machines starting next year
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will stop importing used machines starting on January 1, 2009 to boost the development of the engineering industry in the country.
"The government`s policy on used machinery imports will be reviewed. The import of used machines will be stopped in 2009, meaning that the imports will be put to an end in December," Director General for Metal, Machinery, Textile and Multifarious Industries at the Industry Ministry Anshari Bukhari said over the weekend.
He made the statement to the media on the sidelines of a worshop in Bandung, West Java`s provincial capital, on Saturday commenting on the possibility of extending permits for the import of used machines as demands for the products were still high.
He added there were some considerations for the decision, namely enabling the government to boost the machinery industry, and preventing Indonesia to become a market of such second hand goods, because while the economic crisis had past, foreign investment were still seeking such goods, which had affected the growth of local industries.
"We hope we could reduce our dependency on imported machines. Imports will be allowed only if the machines are not locally available," he said.
Another consideration, Anshari added, was reducing global warming, environmental conservation and efficient use of energy.
"Most of the used machines use more energy, which is also one of the important reasons to stop their import," he added.
Asked whether the government has also stopped importing used more than 24-ton trucks which are not locally available, Anshari said yes.
Data of the ministry showed that in 2007 Indonesia`s total machine imports had reached US$8.1 billion, and 20 percent of which were second-hand machines.
"We will review the advantages and disadvantages of stopping the imports and familiarize businesspeople with our the final decision," he added.
Indonesia had been importing machines from China, Australia, Malaysia, the United States, Japan and South Korea.
Indonesia`s machine exports reached only US$1.4 billion in 2003 and US$3.5 billion in 2007. (*)
"The government`s policy on used machinery imports will be reviewed. The import of used machines will be stopped in 2009, meaning that the imports will be put to an end in December," Director General for Metal, Machinery, Textile and Multifarious Industries at the Industry Ministry Anshari Bukhari said over the weekend.
He made the statement to the media on the sidelines of a worshop in Bandung, West Java`s provincial capital, on Saturday commenting on the possibility of extending permits for the import of used machines as demands for the products were still high.
He added there were some considerations for the decision, namely enabling the government to boost the machinery industry, and preventing Indonesia to become a market of such second hand goods, because while the economic crisis had past, foreign investment were still seeking such goods, which had affected the growth of local industries.
"We hope we could reduce our dependency on imported machines. Imports will be allowed only if the machines are not locally available," he said.
Another consideration, Anshari added, was reducing global warming, environmental conservation and efficient use of energy.
"Most of the used machines use more energy, which is also one of the important reasons to stop their import," he added.
Asked whether the government has also stopped importing used more than 24-ton trucks which are not locally available, Anshari said yes.
Data of the ministry showed that in 2007 Indonesia`s total machine imports had reached US$8.1 billion, and 20 percent of which were second-hand machines.
"We will review the advantages and disadvantages of stopping the imports and familiarize businesspeople with our the final decision," he added.
Indonesia had been importing machines from China, Australia, Malaysia, the United States, Japan and South Korea.
Indonesia`s machine exports reached only US$1.4 billion in 2003 and US$3.5 billion in 2007. (*)