JakartaGlobe-Mar 15
President Joko Widodo on Wednesday ordered stern measures against the import of used clothing that according to him did serious damage to the already struggling domestic textile industry. “Used clothing import really caused disruption [to the domestic textile industry],” the President told reporters in Jakarta.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the ban on the import of second-hand products has been expanded beyond apparel and footwear. The new policy is aimed at protecting the domestic industries, the minister said, adding that his office will team up with law enforcement agencies to enforce the new regulation.
Earlier this week, the National Statistics Agency reported that second-hand clothing imports jumped by 277.75 percent from 8 tons in 2021 to 26.22 tons last year. The used clothes imports in 2022 were also worth $272,146, up 518.5 percent from $44,000 a year earlier.
The figures are likely to be higher as many products enter Indonesia via illegal means through small ports across the country. The local textile industry today has to deal with a myriad of problems. It is suffering from a decline in exports but is also competing with imports that are cheaper and more attractive in design. And now it is up against imported used clothing that has significantly lower prices. Read more at: https://jakartaglobe.id/business/president-orders-crackdown-on-used-clothing-imports
