Timor Putra ceases imports

JAKARTA: Indonesia's national carmaker, PT Timor Putra National, has almost ended imports of finished cars duty free from South Korea.

The company will now concentrate on building its own cars.

Timor Putra has permission from the government to import 45,000 cars without tariff, but the company will stop somewhat short of 40,000.

Halting the imports early may be out of consideration to Japan over its protests over the national car plan.

Japan, the United States and European carmakers have welcomed the move to cease the duty free imports but plan to press for further concessions.