Govt has no plan to revise export tax

By Bambang Atmaja

The government denied rumors that it would decrease export tax on 65 unprocessed mining products from the current rate of 20 percent to 10 percent.

"There is no such plan (to revise export tax) so far," Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo told Petromindo.com

Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan also denied the rumors, saying "I don't know where the rumors come from. We have no discussion on the revision of export tax."

The government bans the export of raw mining products unless the miner is committed to build a smelter and pay the 20 percent export tax.

Source earlier told Petromindo.com that the government was drafting a regulation to cut the export tax to 10 percent which would be eligible for holders of Mining Business Permit (IUP) and Mining Contract of Work locally known as Kontrak Karya.

The existing 20 percent export tax is only imposed for IUP holders.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora