COMMUNICATION AND TOURISM MINISTERS ISSUE JOINT DECREE ON FOREIGN ADVERTISEMENT RESTRICTION

Jakarta, June 7 (ANTARA) - The ministry of communication and informatics (Depkominfo) and the ministry of Culture and Tourism (Depbudpar) issued a joint decree on the restriction of foreign advertisement on the Indonesian media. "The joint decree of the Depkominfo and Depbupdar is aimed at promoting the development of domestic advertisement industry," Communication and Informatics Minister Muhammad Nuh said here on Friday. The joint decree issued in the form of a ministerial regulation was signed by Minister Muhammad Nuh and Cultural and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik on May 30, 2008. In line with the regulation, advertisements to be shown in Indonesia must use human and natural resources of Indonesia. "The joint decree is aimed at giving more opportunities to domestic production houses, and the employment of one foreign expert must be accompanied by three domestic workers for transfer of skill," Minister Nuh said. He said the regulation was issued because the advertisement production cost increased from Rp25.5 trillion in 2005 to Rp30.03 trillion in 2006, and Rp35.1 trillion in 2007. "It's pity if we could not get a benefit from the advertisements' Rp35.1 trillion. So far, only foreign production houses have benefited the money," Minister Nuh said. From advertisement, television stations enjoyed Rp23 trillion or 66 percent of Rp35,1 trillion, newspapers 30 percents and magazines four percents last year. Advertisement spending during the January-March 2008 period increased from Rp7.019 trillion in 2007 to Rp8.661 trillion. The joint decree made some exceptions for advertisements on tourism promotion of foreign countries, properties located outside Indonesia; international games, competition and education, and brand global or brand image with same actors all over the world.