Lower Import Duty on Imported Ceramics, Decrease the Competitiveness of the National Ceramic Industry

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The growth of the national ceramic industry throughout the year 2017 is relatively way in place. In addition, various shocks continue to undermine the competitiveness of the national ceramics industry.

There are two factors influencing the growth of the national ceramics industry, ranging from the flood of imported products with the relatively cheap price to the gas price for the industry which makes the manufacturer save the production cost so that the capacity is limited.

The same thing is expressed by the President Director of PT Puri Kemenangan Jaya (Centro Keramik), Jusmery Chandra said, during the year 2017 yesterday, our growth (Centro) still has not showed significant improvement.

"In 2017, we (Centro) only grew by 5%, our target in 2018 could grow above 10%," said Jusmery when contacted INDUSTRY.co.id in Jakarta, Tuesday (9/1/2018).

He added that as of January 1, 2018, import duties of imported ceramics from China fell to 5%. "With only 20% import duty, China's ceramic imports grew 20-25% per year, especially if only 5% could be increased by 40-45% and national ceramics are getting depressed," he explained.

Furthermore, he hopes that the gas price for the industry could quickly fall to US $ 6-7 per MMBTU, so that local products can compete with imported products.

"May the government immediately realize the decline in gas prices for the industry," said Jusmery.

Furthermore, with the realization of some infrastructure that is completed by the government, our hope of the property sector can re-excited because the suburban areas are more affordable so that the region has the potential to grow.

In addition, he also hopes politics can run safely and conducive. "Politicians should compete healthily, do not divide the nation and the people of Indonesia," said Jusmery.