Singapore denies discrepancy in trade data a result of smuggling
Singapore denies discrepancy in trade data a result of smuggling
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Singapore denied on Thursday reports suggesting it had held back
data on trade figures with Indonesia, saying the discrepancy
between the data recorded by the country and Indonesia was caused
by a different basis of calculation and had nothing to do with
smuggling activities.
William Tan, First Secretary at the Singaporean Embassy here,
said in a statement that the discrepancy was a common occurrence
in trade data in many countries.
"We calculate our trade figures on a different basis from
Indonesia. Therefore, differences in the data are inevitable.
"It was precisely to avoid such misunderstandings that in
1974, in the interests of our overall good bilateral relations,
both sides agreed on a mutual arrangement regarding the handing-
over of bilateral trade figures," he said.
Singapore has consistently informed Indonesia that it has no
problems, should Indonesia decides to publish the data that the
Singaporean government has handed over to the Indonesian
ministers every year for the past 29 years, he added.
"Indonesia is free to publish the statistics at any time," he
said.
He went on to say that Singapore, through its ambassador in
Jakarta, had handed over data annually on its trade with
Indonesia to the country's minister of foreign affairs,
coordinating minister for economic affairs, and minister of
industry and trade.
"This year, our ambassador in Jakarta gave the trade
statistics personally to Coordinating Minister for Economy
Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti on April 21 and Minister for Foreign
Affairs Hassan Wirayuda on May 26."
In addition, the Singaporean ambassador has also been seeking
an appointment with Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS
Soewandi to present the bilateral trade figures.
Last year, the ambassador handed over the trade statistics to
the minister on July 4, 2002.
Ministers Rini and Hassan voiced complaints during a press
conference on Tuesday about Singapore's reluctance to reveal
comprehensive data on bilateral trade.
Hassan acknowledged that Singapore once sent a diplomatic note
on the bilateral trade data, but the note was categorized as
confidential and the city state refused to discuss the matter in
any formal forum.
The data supplied by Singapore showed a large discrepancy with
that complied by Indonesia's Central Statistics Bureau (BPS).
In 2002 trade data for example, Singapore recorded non-oil
exports to Indonesia amounting to US$2.25 billion, compared to
$2.44 billion as reported by BPS.
Singapore also posted non-oil imports from Indonesia at $7.41
billion, as against $4.6 billion according to BPS data.
This has led to suggestions that the huge discrepancies
provide evidence of rampant smuggling between the two countries,
something that is strongly denied by Singapore.
"Singapore does not condone smuggling. Where there is evidence
that Singaporean laws have been breached, we will investigate
thoroughly and take action against the offenders," Tan said.
"Indonesia's attempts to eradicate smuggling in its own
territory through more patrols will help reduce smuggling. We
welcome such efforts."