The government is currently drafting a revision to the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 8/2024 which regulates import policies and procedures. One of the main highlights in this regulation is the elimination of technical regulations on ready-made clothing imports, which are considered to increase import opportunities and affect the competitiveness of the local textile industry.
The General Chairperson of the Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI), Redma Gita Wirawasta, emphasized that the elimination of the technical regulations is detrimental to the domestic textile industry. He encouraged all textile products (HS 50-63) to be regulated by referring to technical regulations from the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin). Redma also asked the government to implement stricter supervision of K3L (Security, Health, Safety, and Environment) aspects, Indonesian language labels, and Indonesian National Standards (SNI).
In addition, Redma highlighted the importance of transparency in granting import quotas which should prioritize local supply. He considered the current quota granting mechanism, which is based on technical considerations from the Ministry of Industry, to be less transparent.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) through its Head of Public Policy, Sutrisno Iwantono, stated that they were still reviewing the points that would be proposed in the revision of Permendag No. 8/2024. Sutrisno emphasized that his party would discuss this internally before providing official input to the government.
On the other hand, the Association of National Importers of Indonesia (GINSI) appreciated Permendag No. 8/2024 which was considered to provide certainty for the business world regarding import activities. However, GINSI also requested that the revision of the policy involve all stakeholders to ensure a more comprehensive policy.
The revision of Permendag also received attention from the Minister of Industry (Menperin), Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. He expressed his appreciation for the plan to revise this policy as a positive step to improve the dynamics of textile trade. Agus considered this step important in order to maintain the sustainability of the domestic textile industry which has so far been one of the strategic sectors in Indonesia.
Minister of Trade (Mendag) Budi Santoso said the revision of Permendag No. 8/2024 as a form of adaptation to changes in the national economy. In the 2024 Achievements and 2025 Work Program Press Conference, Budi emphasized that trade policies must be dynamic and involve discussions with various parties, including the community and business actors.
However, the negative impacts of the implementation of Permendag No. 8/2024 have begun to be felt. Deputy Minister of Manpower, Immanuel Ebenezer, revealed that at least 60 textile companies plan to lay off employees (PHK) due to the policy. This reflects the need for balance in formulating regulations that not only support the business world but also protect domestic workers and industries.
The revision of Permendag No. 8/2024 is expected to be a momentum to improve textile import governance that is more in favor of the local industry, while creating a fair and sustainable trade climate.