Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Main Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso alias Buwas proposed that import duties on rice imports of 1.5 million tons be waived. This is so that the price of rice in the community can be cheaper. Buwas’ reason is because currently the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar is high, so this will have an impact on the price of imported goods becoming more expensive.
Responding to this, the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman said that his party had no objections to this matter, because according to him, Bulog’s goal in bringing in rice from abroad or importing was for the Government’s Rice Reserve (CBP).
“It’s no problem. That’s just (making) a reserve,” said Amran when met at the Jakarta Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) office, Friday (10/11/2023).
Amran said that the government, in this case the Ministry of Agriculture, together with Perum Bulog and the National Food Agency (Bapanas), although they import rice, always prioritize protection for farmers, by carrying out imports in a measured manner.
“Basically, we have to protect farmers. God willing, we will collaborate together, Bulog, the Head of the Food Agency, everything will be fine,” he said.
Previously, Buwas asked the government, in this case the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), to waive import duties for Bulog to carry out imports.
 Photo: Workers pack food supply and price stabilization (SPHP) rice at the Bulog warehouse at the Jakarta Banten Regional Office in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023). SPHP Rice aims to reduce the price of rice on the market. (CNBC Indonesia/Faisal Rahman)Workers pack food supply and price stabilization (SPHP) rice at the Bulog warehouse at the Jakarta Banten Regional Office in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023). SPHP Rice aims to reduce the price of rice on the market. (CNBC Indonesia/Faisal Rahman) |
“Because soybeans are also used for commercial business activities and there are no import duties, rice which is for the state and for the benefit of the community is taxed,” he said when met at the Senayan DPR Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/11/2023).
If import duties for rice imports were waived, according to him, prices would be cheaper. “That will have an effect on prices in society as well,” he added.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) through the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto also said that the government would provide incentives for exemption from import duties on rice imports. So that it can reduce the expensive global price of rice.
“Exemption from specific import duties of IDR 450 per kilogram, we will provide incentives in the form of import duties borne by the government, which will later be given by the Ministry of Finance,” said Airlangga, after the Internal Meeting on Rice Assistance, at the Presidential Palace, Monday (6/11/2023) .
However, this incentive is applied to the additional rice import quota which has been set at 1.5 million tonnes. “Yes, this is for 1.5 million tons, not all of it is just 1.5 million tons,” said Head of the National Food Agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, to reporters.
Later, after the import of 1.5 million tons is completed, the incentive will no longer be applied.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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