Indonesia Cancels Requirement to Use Benchmark Prices in Minerals, Coal Sales

Indonesia has scrapped a requirement to use government benchmark prices as the floor price in minerals and coal sales, a mining ministry decree reviewed on Monday showed.

Issued earlier this month, the decree allowed miners to sell minerals and coal below the government-set benchmark prices, but production levies and tax obligations arising from the transactions would be based on the benchmark prices.

Jakarta began mandating the use of a coal benchmark price for transactions on March 1, intending to exert bigger control over the value of domestic and export transactions for the fuel commodity. Before that, the price had already been used to calculate royalties.

However, both buyers and exporters preferred to use the Indonesian Coal Index to price shipments because the benchmark is opaque, updated less frequently and also more expensive.

Indonesia's government also issues benchmark prices for a number of nickel products, copper, tin, cobalt and bauxite, among others.

Indonesia exported 238 million tons of thermal coal in the first half of this year, a 20% increase from a year ago.

Source: Reuters

Indonesia, South Korea Deepen Halal Industry Collaboration

Indonesia and South Korea are strengthening cooperation in the halal product ecosystem as part of broader efforts to tap into the global halal market, a senior government official said.

Head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan stated Monday that the partnership between the two countries goes beyond trade.

“It’s about building trust and creating a modern, inclusive halal ecosystem for future generations,” said Hasan, following his recent visit to Seoul for two key halal-related events.

He described his participation in the 2025 International Halal Seminar and the 70th anniversary of the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) as pivotal in advancing bilateral halal diplomacy.

The seminar brought together prominent figures in the global halal landscape, including KMF President Hussein Kim Dong Eok and Ihsan Ovut, Secretary-General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

Other participants included Malaysia’s JAKIM Deputy Director Mohamad Kori Bin Jusoh, Thailand’s Halal Science Center founder Winai Dahlan, Korea Food Research Institute’s Lee Hyun Sung, along with Korean government officials, academics, and industry leaders.

Hasan stressed the need to intensify collaboration to unlock shared economic potential in the halal sector.

He highlighted the importance of joint efforts in improving certification standards, training halal auditors and slaughterers, and increasing Indonesian halal exports to South Korea.
 

Source: Antara News

Jakarta Offers 20–50% Tax Relief for Hotels and Restaurants

The Jakarta provincial government has officially introduced tax relief measures for businesses in the hospitality and food service sectors, offering discounts of between 20 and 50 percent in a bid to sustain economic growth and protect jobs in the capital.

Governor Pramono Anung announced the policy, signed into law on August 25, saying it was designed to strike a balance between local revenue collection and maintaining a supportive business climate.

“I signed this gubernatorial decree to ensure the continuity of hotel and restaurant businesses, while also supporting Jakarta’s economic growth,” Pramono said in a statement on Tuesday.

The tax relief that will be put into place consists of: 50% discount on specific goods and services taxes for hotel businesses, valid through September 2025, 20% discount on specific goods and services taxes for hotel businesses, effective from October to December 2025, 20% discount on food and beverage taxes, valid from August to December 2025.

Eligible taxpayers must submit a statement agreeing to report all transactions electronically through Jakarta’s established tax reporting system.

Source: Jakarta Globe