No Trade Restriction with Singapore despite Coronavirus Alert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of Trade Assessment and Development Agency of the Trade Ministry, Kasan, said that the trade partnership of Indonesia and Singapore has not yet affected so far despite the alert status of coronavirus in the neighboring country.

“Singapore is an export destination, but the transit keeps declining [every year], so [the trade partnership] is not much affected,” said Kasan at the ministry building, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 11.

He explained that it was because the export could be delivered directly to the destination country without having to transit. “Singapore used to be among the third-largest [export destination], but now it is below the fifth rank,” Kasan added.

Even though Singapore’s rank in Indonesia’s trade affairs kept dropping and currently being infected by the virus, Kasan informed that his side had not planned to restrict the trade yet. “We will see later.”

Meanwhile, the Air Transportation Director-General of the Transportation Ministry, Novie Riyanto, confirmed no discussion on the aviation policy following Singapore’s coronavirus alert status had been held so far. 

“We are just waiting for the central government’s policy,” Novie said, adding that the anticipative measures are still carried out in airports and ports. The rules would also be evaluated regularly.

On Friday, February 7, Singapore upgraded its disease outbreak response system condition (Dorscon) to an Orange status as the virus transmittal in the country reached 45 cases.

EKO WAHYUDI l CAESAR AKBAR