TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati mentioned a number of factors that caused an increase in imported goods. One of the factors is digital economy.

"With digital economy, it enables goods from outside the country to enter Indonesia easily, swiftly," Sri said on Friday, December 20, 2019.

Sri also observed a phenomenon occurring in the textile industry and other industry, which describes the enormous pressure currently experienced by the business world.

"Therefore, I requested all officials to be fully aware. Are [goods] entering [the country] legitimate in terms of process, in terms of the parties that needs to pay and in terms of our people's capability or our industry capability to compete fairly with goods originated from outside the country," Sri said.

Sri also reminded all officials, especially the Directorate of Customs and Excise to be more cautious in anticipating illegal goods.

"I also wanted to deliver the message of the President [President Joko Widodo] for us to become the guardians of the economy from the invasion of illegal goods or imported goods as a result of trade wars," Sri Mulyani stated.

Sri asserted that the Finance Ministry must be able to maintain the economy to continue to grow competitively. "Not closed and inefficient, but transparent and competitive, but also remain alert to invasion of illegal goods, and goods produced through unfair process," Sri said.

HENDARTYO HANGGI