Indonesia to Tighten Import of Raw Materials

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) -- The Ministry of Trade is resolved to tighten the importation of raw materials through a number of polices to be issued in 2015, a senior trade official said. "Tightening raw material imports will also reduce trade deficit and save on foreign exchange," Thamrin Latuconsina, the Director of Importation Affairs of the Directorate General of External Trade of the Ministry of Trade, stated here on Thursday. He added that the government was now researching instruments to use to reduce dependence on raw material imports. The tightening measures will be carried out through a number of these means. "It can also reduce import quota of products such as those of horticulture, beef, and others because production of these commodities is increasing at home," Latuconsina affirmed. The government is also resolved to become self-reliant in a number of products, including salt, which Indonesia is expected to be been self-sufficient in next year. "We also intend to become self-reliant in sugar production in the coming three to four years when the demand will be met by domestic production," he revealed. (*)