Chief of the Presidential Staff Moeldoko supported the Indonesian modern retailers’ keenness to expand their business overseas as a means to increase the exports of domestic products.
Moeldoko made the remarks at the Presidential Staff Office here on Thursday in response to the aspirations of the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO).
“The Presidential Staff Office will communicate with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant ministries and institutions, so that diplomacy efforts are established with several destination countries, especially those that are the destination for the placement of our migrant workers,” he remarked.
General chairperson of APRINDO Roy Nicholas Mandey stated that so far, the intention to do such has not been realized, as they had yet to receive comprehensive support from the government, such as in the form of harmonization or relaxation of regulations.
He also stressed the need for the government to make efforts to negotiate with the governments of destination countries on licensing and operational matters.
“Without government support, Indonesian modern retailers will (rethink their decision) about expanding overseas. If it can be done, surely it will revive our modern retail business. Moreover, some of these countries are gathering places for Indonesian citizens, like Saudi Arabia,” Mandey stated.
They urged the Presidential Staff Office to also partake in bridging a way to solve the issue on disbursement of the one-price cooking oil difference (rafaction), as a result of Trade Ministry’s Regulation No 3 of 2022 about packaged cooking oil for community needs with funding by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) .
“Rafaction value from retailers throughout Indonesia is around Rp345 billion. It has been a year and no funds have been disbursed although these funds mean a lot to retailers,” Roy remarked.
In response to this, Deputy III Chief of the Presidential Staff Edy Priyono said he will soon discuss with the agency to find a solution to the issue.
“We will immediately communicate with the BPDPKS and the Trade Ministry to get to the root of the problem,” he stated.
Source: Antara News