Jakarta – The government has officially established a Deregulation Task Force as part of a strategic policy to relax import quotas for certain commodities. This step was taken as an effort to address the challenges of domestic supply and price stability, while strengthening a business climate that is more responsive to global dynamics.
The Minister of Trade (Mendag), Budi Santoso, said that the establishment of the Deregulation Task Force was not merely to open the import tap without limits, but rather a form of evaluation of regulations that were considered too rigid and not adaptive to the field situation.
“This task force will focus on combing through regulations that hinder the distribution and supply of industrial and food raw materials, without ignoring protection for domestic products,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that the relaxation of import quotas will be carried out selectively and based on real needs.
“We will not provide relaxation haphazardly. Everything must be based on production and demand data. The ultimate goal is to prevent scarcity, keep prices stable, and avoid speculation,” said Airlangga.
Through the findings of the Task Force, Airlangga hopes that in the near future the government can issue policy packages. Later, the government will be involved first in prioritizing easier policy packages.
“It is hoped that later the government can issue policy packages, and prioritize easier policy packages,” he added.
Similarly, the Acting Director General of Domestic Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim, welcomed this policy positively, especially in maintaining the availability of food supplies and public consumption.
“We see delays in distribution and price increases for certain commodities. With this limited deregulation, we hope that the process of procuring goods from abroad will be faster and more efficient, of course with strict supervision,” said Isy.
The policy of forming the Deregulation Task Force reflects the government’s rapid response to the challenges of supply and price stability amidst global dynamics. With a data-based and selective approach, the government seeks to maintain a balance between the smooth distribution of imported raw materials and protection of domestic products.
This step shows the government’s commitment to creating a more adaptive, efficient, and highly competitive business climate. The active participation of ministries, business actors, and industry associations in the Deregulation Task Force is also a positive signal that the deregulation process is carried out transparently and inclusively. With strict supervision and involvement of all parties, the relaxation of import quotas is expected to strengthen national economic resilience in a sustainable manner.
[edRW]
