A ceramic entrepreneur is responsible for DPR: We are not doing well

Jakarta –

The ceramic industry is not in good shape. The catalyst was a flood of imported ceramic products.

The Chairman of the Association of Various Indonesian Ceramic Industries (ASAKI) Edy Suyanto said that the performance of the ceramic industry in the first semester of 2024 fell to 62%, compared to 2023 which reached 69%.

“We note that in 2023, last year’s situation was 69%, in the first semester of 2024 it decreased to 62%,” said Edy, at the Public Hearing Meeting ( RDPU) by Commission VI DPR RI, in Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (26/8/2024).

According to Edy, there are three sectors in the ceramics industry that require special attention. First for ceramic tiles, at a usage rate of 62%, then tableware at 47% or reaching a low level, and sanitary at 54.3%.

“The performance of the three ASAKI business divisions until mid-2024, please allow us to report, is not good,” he said.

However, according to Edy, entrepreneurs are still hopeful that the business will recover when the Anti-Dumping Import Duty (BMAD) is implemented for imported products, especially in -trade from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or China. The target is that usage this year can increase to an average of 70%.

“Noting the situation of decline in Indonesian Manufacturing PMI and the decrease in the performance of the national ceramics industry, we ask for permission, we need and we will ask for the attention and support of the government, in the this case the government policy that wants to be consistent and business for home,” explained Edy.

These policies include BMAD, security measures or safeguards and import restrictions for domestically produced products, such as ceramic tile products, to protect local businesses from unfair competition.

As for the import restrictions themselves, it is hoped that the volume of imports will be limited. The initial expectation for ASAKI is that it can be reduced to 70-80% of BMAD. Therefore, he believes that import figures can fall by up to 50%.

“We are still very optimistic that although the usage is only 62%, we believe that this can recover and revive gradually if BMAD for imported Chinese ceramic products is placed the immediate action and ASAKI hopes that the usage rate will reach 70% by the end of this year and increase to 80% in 2025. ,” concluded Edy.

(sc/hns)