The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) has observed a significant 43% increase in imports of Textile and Textile Products (TPT) following the implementation of import regulations stipulated in Permendag 8/2024 starting from May 17, 2024. According to Kemenperin's data, imports surged from 136.36 thousand tons in April 2024 to 194.87 thousand tons in May 2024. This rise comes after a period of declining imports earlier in the year, where figures dropped successively from 206.30 thousand tons in January to 143.49 thousand tons in March. Acting Director General of Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Textile Industries (IKFT) at Kemenperin, Reny Yanita, highlighted that the issuance of Permendag 8/2024 has reversed the declining trend in imports. She expressed concern over the impact of these regulations, contrasting them with Permendag 36/2023, which enforced stricter import controls requiring Technical Considerations (Pertek) for all commodity groups. In contrast, Permendag 8/2024 imposes Pertek only for selected commodities, potentially contributing to the import surge observed. Moreover, Reny Yanita underscored that the influx of imports under Permendag 8/2024 has exacerbated large-scale layoffs within the textile sector, affecting tens of thousands of workers. She emphasized the loss of skilled human resources in the TPT industry due to these layoffs, highlighting the challenges in replacing their expertise. The ministry aims to address these issues by advocating for a reconsideration of import policies to safeguard domestic industries and mitigate adverse employment impacts.
Tuesday, 09 July 2024 08:59
Ministry of Industry Records Imports Soaring 43 Percent After Trade Regulation 8/2024 Issued
