Reclassification of Indonesia’s Bitung Port to boost trade in Southern Philippines

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Image from www.north-sulawesi.org/maps.html
Image from www.north-sulawesi.org/maps.html
Image from www.north-sulawesi.org/maps.html

Three classes of goods from the Philippines have finally been allowed to enter Bitung Port in Eastern Indonesia following longstanding efforts of the Philippine government and private stakeholders to liberalize trading at the port.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade updated on July 3 provisions under Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 36/M-DAG/PER/7/2014 to enable the entry of international food and beverages, electronics, and garments into the port. Previously these goods were barred from entry into Bitung Port.

The revised regulation now identifies Bitung Port as one of the international gateway ports of Indonesia, allowing for more liberal import-export policies and regulations, and more active trade in international goods.

The reclassification of Bitung Port as an international entry port is a long-time advocacy of Philippine Consul General Jose D.R. Burgos and the Philippine Consulate General in Manado, as it is expected to liberalize trade and transshipment activities between North Sulawesi and Southern Philippines, in particular Davao and General Santos Cities, according to a statement from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DFA noted the development is vital to sustain the upcoming Davao-Manado-Davao shipping service by Indonesian-based shipping company PT Kanaka Lines. The service is tentatively scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2014. – Roumina Pablo