Indonesian textile companies ask the government to curb illegal imports

The Indonesian Textile Industry Association is urging the government to issue policies to protect the domestic textile industry from illegal imports.
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In 2007, Indonesia’s domestic textile demand increased by 20.4%, reaching 1.22 million tons, but Indonesia’s domestic textile industry sales decreased by 43%, and illegal imports reached more than 860,000 tons. From January to March 2008, Indonesia’s total textile import volume was 721,000 tons and US$1.2 billion, while its total export volume during the same period was 475,000 tons and US$2.6 billion. By curbing illegal imports, Indonesia’s total textile imports are expected to be reduced by 50%.