Jakarta - To protect domestic industries from the impact of free trade, Industry Minister MS Hidayat  is to propose compulsory verification for seven kinds of imported goods.

    He said here Tuesday, the seven kinds of  goods are  cosmetics, ceramics, steel, energy-efficient lamps, cell phones, bicycles, automotive spark plugs and filters.   

    The obligation to subject the goods to verification in the countries of origin as well as in Indonesia was expected to curb illegal imports into the country, Hidayat said.

     In addition, he said, he would also propose the designation of more ports as the only ones through which five kinds of foreign-made consumer goods could enter  the country.

     Under Trade Minister's Decree No 55/2008, the five foreign-made consumer goods were  footwear, textiles and textile products (TPT), toys, electronics, food and beverages. They were allowed  to be imported only through the ports of Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Emas, Tanjung Perak, and Belawan as well as Soekarno Hatta Airport.

    Hidayat would propose that the number of ports for the five kinds of imports be increased but he declined to mention the names of the additional ports.

    He said in order to help  domestic industries growth, he would propose to the Finance Minister to continue exempting 10 domestic industries from import duties on the components they need. The industries were ship-building, electronics, telematics, motor vehicle, heavy-duty equipment making, power plants, milk industry feedstock, sorbitol, Methyltin mercaptide and ballpoints.

Hidayat would also seek postponement of  tariff reductions on   downstream steel products like wires and nails, petrochemicals such as polyethylene, and rubber rolls

-Antara, 27 January 2010-