JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the ministries overseeing economic affairs to eliminate import quotas for essential goods.

The directive was delivered during an Economic Dialogue held on Tuesday (8 April).

“The Coordinating Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of Bank Indonesia, and the Chair of the National Energy Council were present. I have given the order to eliminate import quotas, especially for goods essential to public welfare,” said Prabowo.

He added that any business actor with the capacity and willingness to import should be allowed to do so freely. “Whoever is capable and willing to import — go ahead, it's open. No more picking and choosing who can and who cannot,” the President said.

Prabowo explained that this measure is aimed at creating a more enabling environment for national entrepreneurs to grow. He also stressed the importance of building an ecosystem that fosters job creation and boosts national economic growth.

“Sure, businesses can make a profit — that’s not a problem. But we also expect them to pay taxes properly,” he stated.

The Economic Dialogue took place on the first working day following the extended Eid al-Fitr holiday, which began on 27 March. Prabowo’s announcement comes as Indonesia faces economic pressure from the ongoing tariff war between the United States and China. As one of the US's trading partners, Indonesia has also been impacted by the 32% reciprocal tariff imposed on its exports to the US. (LK/ZH)