TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chief of the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) Yohannes Nangoi, warned that the coronavirus can disrupt the Indonesian automotive industry, if the deadly outbreak were to last for an extended period of time.

“The impact can be very broad. Not only in terms of health, but (the impact) can spread to the automotive industry," said Nangoi after a press conference in the Gaikindo Indonesia International Commercial Vehicle (GIICOMVEC) exhibition, in Jakarta, on February 4, 2020.

According to Nangoi, China currently contributes 17 percent of the world economy. If China were to experience domestic economic disruptions, other countries will also experience negative effects, especially those with export-import relations. “Put simply, if China’s (economy) slows down due to the coronavirus, automotive in Indonesia will also be disrupted," he said. "Hopefully this epidemic won't last long."

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, confirmed that the imports of automotive parts from China would not be stopped, despite the coronavirus, as the temporary suspension of Chinese imports would only be done for consumer goods.

“(Import bans on automotive) not at all, nobody eats spare parts anyways,” Airlangga said at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Jakarta, on Monday, February 3, 2020.

According to Airlangga, the list of goods that will be banned from being imported will be finalized in tomorrow’s meeting, as the decision requires coordination with several institutions, including the Ministry of Trade, the Customs Office, and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

TEMPO.CO | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)