Government eases import procedure for smelter projects

A total of 24 domestic and foreign companies currently constructing various projects in the country including smelters have obtained so-called fast-track ?green lane? status from the customs office following recommendation from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Kontan reported on Tuesday.

The paper quoted BKPM Chairman Franky Sibarani as saying that with the ?green lane? status, the companies will be able to obtain speedy customs clearance at the port for the imported materials for their projects.

He pointed out that customs clearance for importers with ?green lane? status will only take about 30 minutes as the customs office will only be required to check import documents, compared to three-four days for those with ?red lane? status as the customs office will have to make also physical inspection of the imported goods.

Franky said that the 24 companies have a combined planned investment worth up to Rp 100 trillion. Among of the companies include PT Nippon Krakatau Steel, which is planning to develop a Rp 5.2 trillion steel plant in Cilegon, Bantan; PT Transon Bumindo Resources, which is developing a Rp 3.7 trillion integrated industrial zone including nickel smelter in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi; and PT Megah Surya Pertiwi, which is developing a Rp 3.6 trillion nickel smelter in Halmahera Selatan Regency, North Maluku. (*)