New regulations for exports introduced

JAKARTA (JP): A new Ministry of Industry and Trade decree on export commodities changes the status of several products previously permitted or prohibited from export.

The decree, signed by trade minister Rahardi Ramelan on Dec. 4, divides export products into four categories, two identifying products permitted for exports, and two for prohibited items.

Some products are restricted to particular registered exporting firms, and others can be exported only with special authority from the ministry.

Products restricted for export to registered firms are: cassava, coffee, textiles and textile products (especially to countries which impose quotas), veneer for plywood, plywood, panel wood and industrial and crafted goods made of yellow sandalwood.

A special ministry permit is required for some products, including livestock. They include breeding and nonbreeding cows, water buffaloes, Napoleon wrasse, arowana fish and fry, and milkfish spawn.

Other products requiring the ministry's permission include wheat and wheat flour, rice flour, soybeans and soybean flour, palm kernel, sugarcane, urea, alligator skin, protected flora and fauna, powdered and half processed silver, powdered gold and ingot, and iron and steel waste and scrap.

Also covered is waste or scrap of stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminum -- all from Batam island -- as well as crude oil.

Products banned from export are particular species of arowana fish and fry, aquarium fish larger than 15 centimeters and freshwater prawn.

Rice, reptile skins other than alligator, endangered fauna and flora, and smokehouse materials are also banned from export.

Also barred is export of waste and scrap of steel and iron except that from Batam, and antique goods with historical value. (das)