Agriculture Minister Urges Businessmen to Execute Import Plan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Agricultural Minister Suswono has asked business entities to immediately execute import plan, particularly for chili and garlic. The step is needed to prevent significant increase of price. "If they have got the import permission, then execute it immediately," he said in the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office, Wednesday.

He said that the delay of import would also jeopardize the price during the harvest season. "When the harvest time comes (and the delayed imported commodities come at the same time), the prices during the harvesting period will be harmed," he said. He further added that he had cooperated with Trade Minister to supervise the realization of the import plans. "It has to be this month, if possible," he said.

Suswono said that commodities other than chili and garlic are secured. "Only chili and garlic, the harvesting of these commodities is delayed due to the weather, but for other commodities, we have the stock. Authorities have to make sure that there will not be any speculator," he said. "We also have enough stock of chicken, they (traders) made excuses that the price increase was done to compensate the loss they have suffered before. That is not acceptable," he concluded.

ANANDA PUTRI