Indonesia's Trade Ministry to Deregulate Import Rules

April 17, 2025 | 06:49 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Trade Minister Budi Santoso plans to deregulate export and import policies, responding to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to eliminate import quotas, especially for meat products. His statement in response to President Prabowo Subianto's directive to remove import quotas, particularly on meat products.

"There will be deregulation of policies, and for the Ministry of Trade, this involves the import and export policies," Budi said when speaking to the press at the Ministry of Trade office on Thursday, April 17.

The minister explained that deregulation is aimed at simplifying procedures for businesses and creating a more conducive business climate.

Several weeks ago, President Prabowo instructed government officials to eliminate import quotas, especially for essential goods. Import quotas, he argued, hinder the smooth flow of trade.

"Whoever has the capability and willingness to import, go ahead. There will be no more designating who can and cannot import," President Prabowo said at an Economic Discussion event held at Menara Mandiri, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 8, as quoted from a press release.

Prabowo noted that this directive had been communicated to the Coordinating Minister, the Finance Minister, the Governor of Bank Indonesia, and the Head of the National Economic Council. According to the former Minister of Defense, removing import quotas is part of the government's effort to simplify bureaucracy and ease the process for entrepreneurs.

One of the products particularly addressed by Prabowo was meat imports. He also urged the ministers of agriculture and trade to open up import opportunities for anyone.

"Anyone who wants to import, just open it up. Our people are smart. Why create quotas, but then only allow certain companies to import? That's just unfair," he added.

The President's remarks came after hearing complaints from businesspeople about the difficulties they faced when negotiating with global companies, particularly from the United States. Entrepreneurs expressed that Indonesia’s import regulations created uncertainty in negotiations, potentially delaying business operations.

To ensure certainty in the import process, President Prabowo emphasized that eliminating import quotas is crucial for maintaining a healthy business competition environment in Indonesia.

Editor’s Choice: Bapanas Explains Prabowo's Move to Scrap Import Quotas

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