October 14, 2025 | 02:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chair of the Indonesian Apparel Entrepreneurs Association, Nandi Herdiaman, has asked Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to pay special attention to the national textile and apparel industry, which is currently facing severe pressure. According to Nandi, with his background as an economist, Purbaya can introduce fiscal policies that favor labor-intensive industries, such as textiles and apparel.
“We are hoping that Pak Purbaya will bring a breath of fresh air to the business world, especially the textile and apparel industry. This industry is integral to the economy because it absorbs a lot of labor,” said Nandi in a written statement on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Textile Industry Under Pressure
The national textile industry is facing various challenges, ranging from high operational costs, dependence on imported raw materials, to the flood of cheap imported products in the domestic market. This, Nandi said, necessitates real protection from the government to allow the domestic industry to survive and compete.
“Without protection, our textile industry will face more pressure. The government needs to come up with fair policies to allow room for growth for local products,” he said.
Nandi suggested several concrete steps the government could undertake to strengthen the national textile and apparel industry. First, the government must implement trade protection policies, for example, by increasing import tariffs on finished garments so that local products can compete fairly.
Besides that, the government must facilitate financing for small businesses, provide skills training for industrial workers, and facilitate promotions for local products through exhibitions, digital platforms, and national campaigns.
“We are confident that with the right economic policies, Indonesia's textile industry can rise again and return to being the backbone of the national economy,” he said.
Illegal Import Looms
The Indonesian Filament Yarn and Fiber Producers Association (APSyFI) had previously written to the Minister of Finance to discuss measures to save the national textile and textile product (TPT) industry, particularly in light of illegal imports and product dumping.
According to APSyFI Chair Redma Gita Wirawasta, Purbaya's attention to illegal import quota practices brings fresh hope for the textile industry.
According to Redma, there is a gap between Indonesia's trade data and that of its partner countries, which indicates that many imported goods enter the country without being recorded in the Customs system. This causes losses for the country in terms of both revenue and market competition.
APSyFI hopes that the Directorate General of Customs can strengthen the monitoring system and improve procedures for receiving imported goods from ports. One of the issues highlighted is the non-use of the port-to-port manifest system.
“Importers can create Import Goods Notification (PIB) documents without referring to the Master Bill of Lading (B/L). This loophole opens up opportunities for misdeclaration, under-invoicing, and HS code evasion,” said Redma.
Ilona Estherina contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's Purbaya Mulls Additional Cash Injection for State-Owned Banks
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's Purbaya Mulls Additional Cash Injection for State-Owned Banks
2 jam lalu
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has spoken about the chance to inject additional funds into state-owned banks (Himbara).
Purbaya: Indonesia's State Banks Effectively Channel Rp200 Trillion Government Injection
2 jam lalu
Purbaya says state-owned banks are capable of fully disbursing the government's Rp200 trillion fund and have been swiftly converting it into loans.
Finance Minister Purbaya Rejects State Budget Use to Build Indonesia's Family Office
4 jam lalu
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa welcomed the National Economic Council (DEN) plan to develop a family office.
Why Minister Purbaya Wants Indonesia's High-Speed Train Debt Moved to Danantara
5 jam lalu
Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya believes the High-Speed Train (Whoosh) debt should be covered by Danantara.
Indonesia's Industry Minister Says Chinese Firm Interested in Coal Downstream Project
1 hari lalu
Indonesia's Minister of Industry reveals that a Chinese energy company is interested in the project of coal downstreaming into chemical products.
Indonesia's Finance Minister Demands a Clean Capital Market Free of Stock Manipulation
2 hari lalu
Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya promises incentives to the stock exchange authority if successful in controlling manipulated stocks.
Today's Top 3 News: Finance Minister to Distribute Rp200 Trillion Remaining from State Banks to Regional Banks
3 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Indonesia's Finance Minister Urges Crackdown on 'Stock Frying' Practices
3 hari lalu
Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has urged the OJK and IDX to act against stock price manipulation, or "stock frying."
Manufacturing Sector Key to Achieving 8% Growth, Says Finance Minister Purbaya
3 hari lalu
Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, stated that economic growth must surpass 5 percent in order to reach the medium-term goal of 8 percent.
Purbaya: IHSG Rising Alongside Public Optimism in First Month as Finance Minister
4 hari lalu
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the IHSG has strengthened since he took office on September 8, 2025, replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
