Jemmy Kartwa Sastraatmada, Chairman, Indonesian Textile Association (API) says, the condition of the domestic textile and textile products (TPT) industry is increasingly critical as utilization has fallen by an average of around 55 percent since March 2021. The purchasing power of the people has declined due to the pandemic and massive sales of imported goods in the domestic market are adding pressure on the local textile industry.

Jemmy says, if the influx of imported goods continues, the small and medium industries (IKM) will be hit even more. At a press conference for the Indonesian Textile Association (API) and the Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI), he urged the government to immediately apply import duties on trade security measures (BMTP) or apparel safeguards. Redma Gita Wirawasta, Secretary General, Indonesian Filament Fiber and Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI) said, a proposal to safeguard the domestic industry is currently going through stages at the Ministry of Finance.

If approved, this policy will be stipulated through a Ministry of Finance Regulation (PMK) regarding the imposition of security measures import duties (BMTP) on imports of clothing products and clothing accessories, he added.