GOVT TO GIVE TAX INCENTIVES TO FOREIGN TOURISTS

Jakarta, Dec 20 (ANTARA) - The government plans to give tax incentives to foreign tourists coming to the country through a number of airports as of April 1, 2010, an official said.

"The incentives will be given at Sukarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. It is expected all preparations can be completed before April 1, 2010," the head of the taxation regulation sub directorate at the directorate general of taxation, Estu Yoga Saksama, said on Saturday.

The incentives would hopefully increase the number of tourist arrivals in the country, he said.

"The incentives will be laid down in a regulation of the finance minister," he said.

A number of countries including Japan, Australia and Singapore have provided tax incentives to foreign tourists.

"We are studying which one is the best. We will also cooperate with the directorate general of treasury as well as with shops that meet certain qualifications," he said.

Chairman of the House's Budgetary Board Harry Azhar Azis said some members of the board had proposed that the incentives be given on a reciprocal basis.

"Some have proposed that the incentives be given to tourists from countries that have provided such incentives," he said.