The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries encourages MSME actors to take advantage of export tariffs for fishery products to various countries. This is because a number of countries impose tariffs on imports of goods to their country of 0%. This is the fruit of various trade agreements between Indonesia and other countries. The Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP), Artati Widiarti invites business actors, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to take the class and take advantage of these opportunities. "In accordance with President Joko Widodo's 7 directives that Indonesia must expand access to non-traditional markets, help SMEs to be ready for export, Alhamdulillah we (Indonesia) have ratified several international trade agreements. This is a great opportunity for business players to export marine and fishery products to new markets, " said Artati in Jakarta, Wednesday (23/2/2022). She said, for example, the approval of a trade agreement between Indonesia and several European countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) which are members of the EFTA (European - Free Trade Association) through the IE-CEPA (Indonesia European - Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) has agreed to reduce tariffs imports (trade in goods), and almost all import tariffs on fishery products in these countries will be 0% since November 2021. In addition, trade liberalization covers various aspects, including: services, investment, sanitary and phyto-sanitary, property rights intellectual property, provisions on origin of goods, trade and sustainable development, legal and institutional issues, and cooperation and capacity building. "The opening of market access to EFTA is expected to be able to distribute fishery products widely to Europe and reach Eastern Europe," she explained. Next, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is free trade negotiations between ASEAN countries (10 countries) and 5 partner countries, namely Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to agreeing to reduce import duty rates among member countries, RCEP also provides opportunities for regional value chain utilization in accessing raw materials and supporting raw materials with a preference for lower import duty rates. Artati explained that the potential for lowering import duty rates could be achieved, for example in Japan, Indonesia would get tariff exemptions (0%) in stages for Tilapia, Catfish, Cobia, Crabs and Swimming Crabs, Mussels, Snails, and Fillets. Then for Processed Tuna, it will be reduced gradually from 9.6% to 4.7%. In South Korea, Indonesia has the opportunity to get 0% tariff exemption in stages, including for Swordfish, Tuna, Mackerel, Anchovies, Shrimp and Fillet. "In China, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia will be exempted from import duties for fishery products," she explained.
