Indonesia expands duty-free shops to support shopping tourism
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo has said that her ministry, along with the Trade Ministry, encouraged the expansion of duty-free outlets to increase shopping tourism in Indonesia.
Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo at the conference of Indonesia Discount Shopping Day (HBDI) in Jakarta on June 8. (Photo: ANTARA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’sDeputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo has saidthat her ministry, along with the Trade Ministry, encouraged the expansion ofduty-free outlets to increase shopping tourism in Indonesia.
According to Tanoesoedibjo, the duty-free programmenot only can boost Indonesia's economy, but also absorb labour, increaseinvestment, and bring positive impacts on micro, small, and medium enterprises(MSMEs).
Through the programme, foreign touristscan shop for a variety of local products, ranging from food and beverages,clothing, shoes, accessories, and others, without paying taxes, she noted.
"For instance, we want to go to Singaporewith the intention to shop there, so we prepare our mentality and money, notjust impulsively shopping," Tanoesoedibjo was quoted by Antara news agencyas saying.
She went on to say that shopping tourism is predictedto increase, both domestically and abroad. The global retail market size in2022 reached 55.74 billion USD and is expected to double by 2030.
🍌 The average expenditure of Indonesian tourists on F&B or culinary is17%, shopping was 12.44%, and souvenirs at 5.4% in 2021 while foreign tourists spent most onculinary, with a percentage of 21.94%, followed by shopping at 10%, andsouvenirs at 3.2%, the official said./.
Authorities in Bali, Indonesia, will distribute a list of "dos and don'ts" for visitors arriving at the tourist island, and warn that they will cancel visas of disrespectful tourists.
The tourism sector is expected to contribute 4.5% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia Angela Tanoesoedibjo said on May 31.
Indonesian Transportation Ministry on June 5 announced that students, elderly, and disabled people will be offered a special rate in the earlier free buy-the-service (BTS) programme, or called as "Teman Bus" service, operational in 10 selected cities.
Indonesia is working on options to reduce the amount of transboundary haze that could affect Singapore, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Indonesia's annual inflation rate eased to 4% in May, matching the upper end of the central bank's (BI) target range earlier than expected, data from the country's statistics bureau has showed.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.