Jakarta, Jan. 29 -- Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa urged the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) to fully optimize its role in protecting the domestic market and industries from illegal foreign goods.

While inducting echelon II officials at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta on Wednesday (Jan. 28), he warned that an influx of illegally imported goods into the domestic market could hinder the growth of national businesses.

"If the domestic market is flooded with illegal goods, our companies at home will find it difficult to compete on a level playing field," Purbaya emphasized.

On that note, he reminded DJBC officials that they are tasked with spearheading the government's efforts to sustain the growth of...