The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) has encouraged Indonesian business players to report any imported products suspected of receiving foreign subsidies. Director General of Domestic Trade, Iqbal Shofwan Shoffan, emphasized that the government has established several trade protection instruments to safeguard local industries. Speaking at the IKEA Made in Indonesia: From Local Contribution to Global Footprint talk show in Tangerang, Iqbal called on textile producers and traders to utilize available trade remedies when facing unfair import competition.
He explained that with Indonesia’s population of 280 million, the domestic market has become an attractive target for foreign products. To protect local producers, the government provides three main instruments—anti-dumping measures, anti-subsidy policies, and trade safeguard mechanisms. These tools can be activated, for example, when local industries are challenged by an influx of low-priced textile imports from abroad. Iqbal also noted that policy decisions must consider existing free trade agreements, such as the ASEAN–China FTA, ensuring that Indonesia’s trade response remains balanced and compliant with international commitments.
