Metrotvnews.com, Jakarta: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has challenged the Bonded Logistics Center (PLB) to establish five-year achievement targets. This comes as the value of goods or inventory stored in PLBs over the past year only reached IDR 1.16 trillion.
"The earlier testimonials were very encouraging and heartening, but I'm not an official who's easily satisfied," stated Sri during the first anniversary event of the Bonded Logistics Center at the Merauke Room, DJBC Building, Rawamangun, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
Also Read
She emphasized the need for targets to expand commodity types within PLBs. Business actors should refer to Indonesia's import-export statistics with countries serving as goods hubs.
"If our investments grow 6-10% annually, how much can we relocate to Indonesia? If consumption grows 5-6% yearly, how much can we shift to Indonesia? Therefore, we must create a five-year roadmap," she explained.
Additionally, PLBs should map regions and align with the government's goal of reducing inequality to prevent economic activity from concentrating solely in Java.
"We must consider underdeveloped locations. This should connect with the President's program to develop border areas. Don't just focus on Cengkareng or Tanjung Priok - all border areas should become front gates. We need to carefully examine their feasibility and possibility," stressed the former World Bank Deputy Governor.
Chairperson of the Indonesian Bonded Logistics Center Association (PPLBI), Eti Puspitasari, noted strong business interest since PLB's establishment a year ago. Several companies have reportedly proposed pipeline plans to expand PLB areas in Integrated Industrial Estates (KIT) like Sulawesi and Papua, covering approximately 7 hectares this year.
"We need technical guidelines, even though there are existing ministerial regulations. For instance, regarding transactions by Non-Permanent Establishments within PLBs - should VAT recordings be zero or exempt considering there's no local VAT in these zones," she concluded.
