No plan to impose mining export tax: Ministers

By Adianto P. Simamora

Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik denied the statement by senior official at the Industry Ministry on the country's plan to impose mining export tax between 25 percent this year up to 50 percent in 2013.

?We are not on such plan (to impose mining export). It is still under study,? Agus told reporters on the sidelines of a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office.

Minister Jero on the sidelines of the limited cabinet meeting only made the short comment saying "Not yet."

Industry Ministry Secretary General Anshari Bukhari said that Indonesia might impose up to 25 percent export tax starting this year.

"We should actually impose the export sales tax early this year, so that the current export rush can be avoided," said Industry Ministry Secretary General Anshari Bukhari to Reuters, adding that the government plans to increase the export tax to 50 percent in 2013. Bukhari refused to disclose the exact date the export tax will be first introduced, but stated that it would be imposed on miners' export sales.

Editing by David Mustakim