GOVT TO REGULATE USE OF DOMESTIC PRODUCTS

Jakarta, Nov 3 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will soon issue a regulation ordering the use of domestic products in government ministries, state-owned and regional government-owned companies.

"It will be produced with all its reference. What we have so far is only a general regulation," economic minister's deputy for industry and tradd, Edy Putra Irawady, said here on Monday.

He said it was the industry minister that would make the implementation reference while the trade minister would conduct promotion of the products among the people.

He said the policy was part of the government effort to strengthen domestic industries that had been affected by slumping exports following current global financial crisis.

He said the government had also finished a regulation that would require imports of consumer goods through five certain ports and pre-shipment verification.

"The regulation will soon be announced by the trade ministry," he said.

To promote exports he said the government meanwhile would provide refinancing facility to small-and medium-sized businesses that conduct exports using credits from regional development banks (BPD).

"The refinancing program should be focussed on top products of the regions concerned," he said.