REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- During the 2017 Jakarta International Logistics Summit and Expo (JILSE) series, Customs held a series of discussion forums regarding facilities provided to industries to accommodate accelerated logistics flow. Moreover, in today's electronic commerce (e-commerce) era, product availability and delivery speed have become crucial priorities.

One solution offered by Customs to address this is the provision of Bonded Logistics Center (PLB) facilities, part of the government's policy package to boost logistics acceleration.

After operating for over a year, PLBs have created significant efficiencies and benefits. However, there is a perceived need for PLBs to expand their role in digital trade. Therefore, during the third conference session on the second day of JILSE 2017, Customs also discussed PLB's role under the theme PLB Expansion Anticipating Industry Growth and Trade Development in the Digital Era.

Edy Putra Irawady, Deputy for Industrial Trade at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, stated that PLBs can be empowered to support Indonesia's e-commerce growth. "In this digital era, trade moves rapidly. PLBs can serve as industrial hubs, and future utilization should extend beyond production goods to consumer goods. If well-managed, PLBs could spearhead improvements in our national logistics system," said Edy.

In the same event, Etty Puspitasari, Chairperson of the Indonesian PLB Association, echoed similar sentiments about PLB utilization. "Industries have already experienced efficiency and accelerated business processes with PLBs, but there remains a need for standardized licensing facilitation across ministries and institutions," Etty explained.

Regarding PLB expansion efforts to anticipate e-commerce growth, Ambang Priyonggo, Organizational Capacity and Performance Development Researcher, stated that Customs is ensuring PLBs continue providing maximum benefits for domestic industry advancement. "We are currently working to enable PLBs to accommodate e-commerce growth. We will evaluate facility utilization. Ultimately, PLB facilities are expected to enhance trust and partnership between government and industries," concluded Ambang.