The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is advancing its plan to shift import entry points for specific commodities to Eastern Indonesia, aiming to protect the domestic manufacturing sector. Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized that relocating import ports for certain commodities is a key agenda in the first 100 days of the Merah Putih Cabinet. The Ministry of Trade has also supported this initiative, targeting commodities such as electronics, textiles and textile products (TPT), garments, footwear, cosmetics, ceramics, valves, and traditional medicines. These sectors are particularly vulnerable to the influx of cheap or illegal imports. The selected ports include Sorong, Bitung, and Kupang.
While the relocation plan is not yet finalized, Kemenperin continues to gather input from industry associations seeking protection. Several manufacturers have expressed concerns over import surges affecting their production capacity and performance, especially in the TPT, ceramics, and electronics sectors. Indonesia’s manufacturing sector remains under pressure, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) standing at 49.2 in September 2024, indicating contraction.
