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