Questioning rules for small enterprises

Questioning rules for small enterprises

From Bisnis Indonesia

As a small-scale businessman cooperating with casual and
contract workers, I am disappointed and frustrated by the rules
imposed by the customs office of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta.

For the export of local commodities supplied by
casual/contract workers worth US$1,750 to the Netherlands, the
customs office demanded licenses like an export permit and the
corporate license.

Meanwhile, the export of "money" worth millions of U.S.
dollars can be realized only by paying a Rp 30,000 transfer fee
without any requirement for a license. This goes against the
government pledge to protect small-scale enterprises and promote
exports.

In order to maintain my reputation and business relations with
my Dutch buyer, I was forced to export through a limited
liability company by paying a Rp 1.25 million export commission;
a high-cost deal. I also had to seek a certificate of origin from
the trade office with an with extra payment.

Such rules should be reviewed so that anybody can export local
products as long as no international laws are violated. In the
New Order period, small-scale businesses could export without
licenses, creating more job opportunities.

RAHMAT Y.
Jakarta