Quake worries RI importers
Quake worries RI importers
JAKARTA (JP): A number of Indonesian importers are anxious
because the recent earthquake in Kobe of Japan have caused delays
in the processing of inspection reports which are required for
port clearance.
"Yes, there has been some anxiety but it is nobody's fault and
I expect everything will be resolved soon," Amiruddin Saud,
chairman of the Indonesian Importers Association, told The
Jakarta Post yesterday.
Amiruddin also confirmed that "thousands of importers" have
been frequenting the office of PT Surveyor Indonesia, a state-
owned surveyor company authorized to inspect imported goods,
after the catastrophe last month.
PT Surveyor Indonesia cooperates with Societe Generale de
Surveillance of Switzerland in inspecting Indonesian imports at
points of loading.
The surveyor's office in Kobe, a major port city in Japan, was
destroyed by the massive earthquake which caused delays in the
processing of import documents required by importers for port
clearance in Indonesia.
Around thirty importers who were present at PT Surveyor
Indonesia's office yesterday told the Post that they were
concerned because they might be charged penalties if they failed
to clear their goods from the Tanjung Priok port on time.
"I'm concerned that my clients will make me pay the fines for
being overdue. I'm also worried that all production schedules
will fall behind since many of the imports are raw materials,"
said Lenny Suryadinata of San-Mic Trading Co.
PT Surveyor Indonesia executives declined to comment
yesterday.
Amiruddin, who said that there had not been any reports from
importers on financial losses caused by the delays, noted that
the Indonesian Importers Association is in the middle of
negotiations with Japanese shipping companies which carried the
Indonesian imports from Kobe.
"I'm sure the shippers will understand and will be prepared to
waive all sanctions in the case of delays caused by the
earthquake," he said.
He also said that he is confident that PT Surveyor Indonesia,
which has recruited 20 additional staff members, will be able to
process all the necessary import documents in about two weeks
time. (hdj)