SMEs Minister Abhors Thrifting, Used Clothing Imports Deemed a Threat

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry has a negative view of the thrifting culture, especially businesses that provide imported used clothing amidst a struggling domestic textile industry. Minister Teten Masduki said the government would continue to try to curb the imports of used shoes and clothes. 

“Our argument against the influx of used shoes and clothes is stronger than ever, we are trying to protect products from MSMEs,” said Teten at his headquarters on March 13. 

“The smuggling of used textile products that include footwear does not align with the movement to be proud of Indonesian-made products,” the minister asserted. 

Teten said, apart from posing a threat to MSMEs’ business sustainability, the import of used goods is also expressly prohibited in the Trade Minister’s Regulation No 40/2022 concerning Export Prohibited Goods and Import Prohibited Goods.

"The goal is to invite people to love, buy, and consume the nation's produce," said Teten.

Asked during the same occasion, the Ministry’s deputy of MSMEs Hanung Harimba Rachman said imported second-hand textile products could also pose a health threat. He insists that this remains to be a serious threat that must be overcome. 

"Because currently there are challenges to international trade, the economy is slowing down, so the import of used products is an additional threat, as well as a health threat," said Hanung.

ADE RIDWAN YANDWIPUTRA

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