Minister Ready To Take Measures Against Rice Import Permit Abusers

Bogor, W Java, Jan 29 (Antara) - Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan has pledged to take stern measures against abusers of permits to import Vietnamese rice which had sparked a polemic at the Cipinang wholesale market in East Jakarta. "We have issued the permits. If the importers are found abusing them we will take measures against them as soon as possible," he stated at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday. The permits were issued according to the standing procedure and recommendation from the Agriculture Ministry, he explained. However, he added that the Trade Ministry was yet to find evidence pointing to the abuse of rice import permits. "Traders at the Cipinang market have complained about a flood (of imported rice). If the flood (of imported rice) is more than the quantity we have issued permit for, then it is tantamount to violation. However, we have found no evidence yet," he pointed out. He stated that the Trade Ministry will investigate the case. Last year, the Trade Ministry issued a permit to import 16,832 tons of special rice, consisting of 1,845 tons of the Basmati variety and 14,997 tons of the Japonica variety. According to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the rice imports from Vietnam were shipped 83 times and involved 58 importers other than Bulog. The directorate general denied that the 16.9 thousand tons of rice imported from Vietnam was illegal, arguing that the imports had been handled in line with the standing procedure. "The rice was imported from Vietnam with the headings 1006.30.99.00," Director of Customs and Excise Receipts and Regulation Susiwijono Moegiarso explained. He added that the Vietnamese rice, which flooded the Cipinang market, was not imported illegally. It was imported via Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta and Belawan port in North Sumatra after the importers secured permits from the Trade Ministry. The rice import was supported by necessary documents although they did not comply with the trade minister`s regulation No.06/M-DAG/PER/2/2012, he remarked. "The permits were officially issued by the Trade Ministry. The rice imports were supported with surveyor`s reports sent through Indonesia National Single Window portal," he confirmed. Under the trade minister`s regulation, rice can be imported only to stabilize price, cope with a state of emergency, provide subsidized rice for the poor, or address food scarcity issues.