FACTBOX-What is Indonesia's new plan to control export of key commodities?
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that his government will mandate that exports of palm oil, coal, and ferroalloy be conducted through a state agency, as the country seeks to tighten its control over its natural resources and boost state revenue.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that his government will mandate that exports of palm oil, coal, and ferroalloy be conducted through a state agency, as the country seeks to tighten its control over its natural resources and boost state revenue. Here are some key facts:
* The full force of the new policy will come into effect after a transition period that has been set at three months but can be extended to the end of the year. * During the transition period, business will be carried out as usual between exporters and buyers, but all transactions will be monitored by a state agency.
* After the transition period, all transactions have to be conducted through a new state unit, PT Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia, which will be overseen by sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia. * The new regulation will be implemented in stages where in the first stage it will cover exports of palm oil, coal, and ferroalloy. Every three months, there will be a review to add more commodities.
* Previously, Indonesian companies exported coal and palm oil directly to foreign buyers. But the government controlled how much quantity could be produced and the benchmark price to use. * The policy's stated aim is to improve transparency, put a stop to under-invoicing practices, optimise the government's earnings, and help stabilise the rupiah and enlarge foreign currency reserves.
* Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of thermal coal and palm oil. The Southeast Asian country is by far the top thermal coal supplier to many of the world's largest coal importers including China, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. * Indonesia also issued a new export earnings regulation that requires exporters of natural resources to store 100% of their earnings in state banks. The regulation will take effect on June 1.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

