Ministry Introduces Asean Economic Community to Bali's SMEs

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Trade Ministry introduces the ASEAN Economic Community that will be implemented by the start of 2015 to micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Denpasar, Bali.

"Businessmen must not worry about it. We will be left behind if we do not participate in the ASEAN Economic Community as with its implementation, there will be zero percent tariff rate applicable on imports," the ministry's spokesperson, Oke Nurwan, remarked here on Wednesday.

Nurwan stated that since 1992, Indonesia, as one of the founding members of the ASEAN, along with Brunei Darussalam has lowered the average tariff rate on imports from 3.64 percent in 2000 to 0.05 percent in 2012.

Currently, 99 percent of the average tariff rates are already close to zero percent and will be zero percent by 2015 following the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community.

In addition to the application of a zero percent tariff, Indonesia has also formulated several strategies for securing local products such as setting up the basic structure that is necessary to understand Bahasa Indonesian.

"With regard to the trade in services, we need to prepare an easy and fundamental structure for Indonesia because not all understand Bahasa Indonesian. It is a national treatment that needs to be added," Nurwan emphasized.

Besides being able to understand Bahasa Indonesia, Nurwan also stated that the ministry demands halal certification standards to be followed for all ASEAN imported products, apart from their labeling, which has been mutually agreed.

The standard of goods produced in Indonesia will also be enhanced and strengthened to improve the quality of its exports. (WDY)