Indonesia to curb import of used shoes, clothes to protect MSMEs

15 Mar '23

1 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Indonesia's cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SME) minister Teten Masduki recently criticised the sale and purchase of imported used clothes or import thrifting. He said the government would continue to try to curb the import of used shoes and clothes to protect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile and garment sector.

Through the ‘Proud of Indonesian Products’ movement, the government has issued a policy mandating 40-per cent spending on MSME products in goods procurement.

The policy could make national economic growth reach 1.85 per cent and create 2 million jobs without new investment, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has estimated.

If similar efforts are made regarding household consumption, the national economic growth will improve further, the minister was quoted as saying by a news agency.

Masduki urged the customs department to be more stringent and improve monitoring of illegal import of used clothes that was banned last year.

Such clothes are sold in Pasar Senen, Gedebage and Pasar Baru, he added.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)

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