Zulkifli Hasan Optimistic Indonesia's Trade in 2023 Will Grow Positively 

JAKARTADAILY.ID – Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan is optimistic that Indonesia's trade sector will grow positively in the new year 2023. Despite the challenges and dynamics of the global economy, the achievements of the trade sector throughout 2022 have given optimism to welcome 2023.

"In the midst of a challenging economic and trade situation in 2022, even colored by various crises, starting from the food crisis, energy crisis, financial crisis, and geopolitical crisis; we should be grateful because we can still record many positive achievements in the Indonesian trade sector,” said Zulkifli in a written statement, quoted December 3, 2022.

“Apart from the positive notes, there is also a lot of homework as the Minister of Trade that must be completed. For that, we must remain optimistic in welcoming 2023. The key is collaboration and cooperation,” he added.

Also Read: Indonesian Ministry of Trade Improves PMSE Rules to Optimize Online Trading

Zulkifli emphasizes that the Ministry of Trade would be proactive, responsive, and anticipatory to the uncertain dynamics of the global economy and trade by issuing various policy strategies.

Some of them are supporting the increase in the added value of traded products through industrial downstream; green trade transition; expansion and penetration into non-traditional export markets such as Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East; as well as increasing international market access through trade agreements, exhibitions, and trade missions.

"Strengthening the domestic market will also continue to be carried out by maintaining price stability and availability of staple goods, increasing and empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digitization, utilizing trade remedies instruments, and selectively controlling imports," explained the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan.

Also Read: Indonesian Ministry of Trade Ready to Assist Exporters 'from Promotion to Packaging'

In addition, throughout 2022, the Ministry of Trade has supervised and succeeded in bringing down 37,488 trading links in marketplaces because they are not in accordance with Government Regulation Number 80 of 2019 concerning Trading Through Electronic Systems (PMSE).

This manifests the Ministry of Trade's commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring PMSE governance runs well.

"Supervision of trade content and links that do not comply with the provisions and have the potential to harm consumers continues to be carried out intensively and strict action is taken in line with the rise of trading activities through the electronic system," explained Zulkifli Hasan.

Also Read: Ministry of Trade Export: Assistance Program Could Help MSMEs Increase National Exports.

Zulkifli Hasan also responded to the rampant circulation of imported used clothing on 12 August 2022 by directly directing the destruction of 750 bales of used clothing worth Rp 8.5 billion in the Gracia Warehouse Area, Karawang, West Java.