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Palu – The Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) Type Madya Pabean C Pantoloan held an audience meeting with the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Central Sulawesi at the KPPBC Pantoloan Hall on Friday, October 10, 2025.

This activity followed Apindo’s official request through letter number 025/DPP-SULTENG/SE/IX/2025 dated September 16, 2025. The audience served as a public communication forum between Pantoloan Customs and Apindo member entrepreneurs, aimed at strengthening synergy between the customs authority and the business sector. Through this forum, both parties sought to build mutual understanding to support smooth export-import processes and regional economic growth.

Head of KPPBC Pantoloan, Krisna Wardhana, opened the meeting by expressing appreciation for Apindo’s initiative in fostering constructive communication and collaboration. He emphasized that the audience reflected Customs’ commitment to maintaining transparency and improving service quality for business actors. “As part of our transparent service approach, we invited Apindo to hold this audience with the Head of Pantoloan Customs and Excise Office and our team,” said Krisna.

Secretary of Apindo Central Sulawesi, Ito Lawputra, explained that Apindo not only acts as an employers’ association but also strives to strengthen business cooperation between national and international companies. Additionally, Apindo actively provides business education to the public, especially within university environments. “Apindo also participates in Tripartite Cooperation Institutions (LKS Tripartit) and similar bodies in the region to help resolve wage-related issues and mediate MSME challenges,” Ito added.

During the dialogue session, Handrik, Head of the Fisheries Division of Apindo Central Sulawesi, highlighted customs policies related to exports and imports, particularly concerning agricultural, plantation, livestock, and fishery commodities. Responding to this, Krisna reaffirmed Pantoloan Customs’ strong commitment to promoting regional export activities. “For export services, we operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while import services are available during working days. Our commitment remains high to encourage export growth,” he explained.

Chairman of Apindo Central Sulawesi, Wijaya Chandra, also raised concerns about the Palu Special Economic Zone (KEK), which he said has not been sufficiently socialized among local and international entrepreneurs. He pointed out that the land ownership status within the Tawaeli SEZ, where much of the land remains under local community control, has caused land prices to soar. “This situation has led some investors to establish businesses outside the SEZ area, and a few have even fallen victim to fraud by local individuals,” Wijaya revealed.

He underlined the importance of cross-government coordination, from central to regional levels, to ensure that investment policies are synchronized and support an enabling business environment in Central Sulawesi. “We hope that regulations across all levels align with the Governor of Central Sulawesi’s commitment to opening the door for investment,” he said.

The audience served as a strategic dialogue platform to discuss key issues such as export-import service efficiency, cargo supervision at Pantoloan Port, and strengthening Customs’ role in fostering regional economic development. The meeting also marked an important moment to reinforce institutional relations between Pantoloan Customs and Apindo Central Sulawesi, while reaffirming their joint commitment to creating a conducive, transparent, and competitive business climate in the region.

Source: radarpalu.jawapos.com