VIVAnews – The Directorate General of Customs and Excise booked a sharp increase of smuggling from and to Indonesia in 2009. According to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the increase is not only the number of smuggling, but also the country’s potential loss.
She explained that there were 2,109 cases in 2008, while there were 2,093 cases per November 2009. “From the record I’m seeing, the overall potential loss of the country has increased double,” she said in Jakarta on Thursday, Dec. 10.
The smuggling case of mobile phone and mobile phone’s accessories in 2008 was recorded 85 cases with a potential loss of Rp 10.964 billion, while the number significantly rose in 2009. There have been 141 cases until November 2009 with a potential loss reaching up to Rp 74.09 billion.
The total smuggling for a whole year in 2008 hit 2,109 cases with a total loss of Rp 253.983 billion. Meanwhile, of the total 2,093 cases in 2009, the loss potential has reached Rp 597.820 billion.
The Minister said that the Directorate General of Customs and Excise is trying to make the port as a conducive place for the investment climate in Indonesia. “It is expected that by tightening the security and improving the actions, the investors will see Indonesia as a favorable country [for investment],” she said.
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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
