Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia continues to offer members of diplomatic missions and consular posts in Indonesia exceptional conditions for a new Mercedes-Benz diplomatic car by choosing from any model in Mercedes-Benz passenger car range, Mercedes-AMG models, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, GLS and even special protection vehicles like Mercedes-Benz Guard. The Diplomatic Sales team have unrivaled expertise in this area, providing an exemplary personal service with the focus on excellent customer care. Choi Duk Jun, President Director, PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia says: “Mercedes-Benz has traditionally been the preferred choice of the representative vehicle for Heads of State and Diplomats. We are pleased that Mercedes-Benz continues to serve the diplomatic missions and international organizations in Indonesia at its best by providing excellence, safety and convenience when it comes to our products and services. With our dedicated Diplomatic Sales team, we are able to tailor-made the Mercedes-Benz vehicle according to specific requirements and needs from our customers. And of course, we offer the unique pleasure of driving a new Mercedes-Benz, an icon in the diplomatic community”. When choosing a vehicle, those who represent their countries seek to make a suitably prestigious impression in every situation. Mercedes-Benz offers its customers a wide range of products within which they can be certain to find the appropriate vehicle for every occasion. In every situation, the Mercedes-Benz product range provides refined comfort, safety and above all promises exceptional quality. Specifically for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class, flagpoles can be fitted ex-factory ensuring high visibility and tailored fitment. Eligible for the privileges of Diplomatic sales are: Diplomatic Corps, members of diplomatic missions and consular posts in Indonesia; Embassies, including official vehicles for embassies, consulates, and permanent representations, and Diplomats International Organization, official vehicles for international organizations and permanent representations, and Members of International Organization such as employees of international organizations with special status Special passport holder, private vehicle for Special Passport holder such as employees of the Embassy, Consulate General and Honorary Consul The benefits of choosing a Mercedes-Benz vehicle for diplomatic service are various: customers can opt for a Mercedes-Benz that can be customized to specific equipment and requirements – available for right-hand drive as well as left-hand drive cars - with the 2-year ex-factory warranty with unlimited kilometers applied. Moreover, preferred diplomatic customers are offered attractive pricing with granted discount for the Mercedes-Benz car that comes as tax and duty free. Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers located nationwide and optional Mercedes-Benz Service Packages add peace of mind to the vehicle ownership. Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia ensures a premium and personal customer service, from enquiry to handover, represented by the Fleet & Diplomatic Sales Specialist. Mercedes-Benz can extend on a wide preferred customer base consisting of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations based in Indonesia, with various products such as the E-Class and S-Class luxury sedans, and the highly functional V-Class. Mercedes-Benz cars support comfort, convenience and safety for both driver and passenger: By far the best: Mercedes-Benz Assistance Systems. The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance to provide cooperative driver support has further improved the level of active safety. Active Brake Assist system can help to prevent or at least mitigate the effects of collisions with vehicles ahead and with pedestrians crossing the road in front. It comprises a distance monitoring and collision warning function, braking support appropriate to the situation and an autonomous braking function. The New MBUX with Organic Light Emitting Display. In the new S-Class, all vehicle occupants will be able to use MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) in the future. Each seat will have its own microphone for communication, and the system will recognize the different occupants based on their voices. In addition, four different styles make the multimedia system even more customizable, and turn it into an element of the interior design. The core of the system is a large OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) touch screen between the driver and the passenger. The display not only provides haptic feedback, but also recognizes at an early stage the menu items to be selected, which are enlarged and slanted toward the user. Scope to meet even the highest expectations: yours. Expansively inviting, the spacious interior of the new S‑Class is where it shows its true greatness. It gives you the space to be yourself, while the superb comfort of the seats invites you to relax. Safe to say, a good place to sit. Innovative rear airbags can in addition protect the passengers in the outer rear seats, making the new S‑Class even safer than before. For more information on Diplomatic Sales: https://www.mercedes-benz.co.id/passengercars/buy/diplomatic-sales-page/stage-diplomatic.module.html Contact: Bapak Janudin, Fleet & Diplomatic Sales Specialist, PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia, j.janudin@daimler.com | hp. +62 811 1164 420
Presented by Stefan Ewers, Partner and Head of Roedl and Partner operations in Indonesia, and Wahyu Indradi, Associate Partner at Roedl and Partner, the roundtable discussion touched upon the various changes introduced by the HPP Law, including the increase of income tax rates on businesses, the elimination of taxes on individuals making less than Rp 500 million (around US$34,000) a year, as well as – for the first time in the country’s history – the introduction of a carbon tax scheme to the tax code. “From our observation, [the HPP Law] is not so much of a good-news for the [individual taxpayer]. But of course, there are certain notable features in this that we appreciate, like the reduction of sanctions to tax objections and tax appeals that, for corporate, helps a lot,” said Mr. Indradi. Listed below are some of the more notable stipulations of the HPP Law: 1. The merging of the national identification number (or NIK) and the Taxpayer Identification Number (or NPWP). 2. The introduction of a 35% income tax rate to individuals with an annual income of Rp 5 billion or more. 3. A 22% fixed corporate income tax rate for businesses, with a 50% tax deduction for local small-and-medium-sized enterprises. 4. An 11% added-value tax rate for 2022 which will be increased to 12% starting January 2025, as well as an increase in the number of goods categorized as added-value goods that will be susceptible to the new tax rate effective April 2022. 5. The introduction of a Carbon Tax Scheme of Rp 30 per kilogram of Carbon Dioxide and its equivalent, which would be implemented in accordance with the national carbon reduction roadmap policy effective April 2022. As many as 36 individuals and representatives of companies attended the Online Roundtable, which ended up hosting a lively discussion on the merit and practicality of the exact implementation of the law. In this regard, it might be interesting to note that the HPP Law is not yet fully effective as it may still face some legal challenges in court – not unlike the case with the Omnibus Law. On November 2021, the Constitutional Court decided that the Omnibus Law was procedurally unconstitutional, prohibiting the government from issuing further implementing regulation while giving the government two years to revise the procedurally flawed provisions. Overall, the Online Roundtable successfully introduced the HPP Law to EKONID members. Mr. Jan Rönnfeld, Managing Director of EKONID, who also opened the event, closed it by thanking the two legal experts who shared their expertise with those in attendance, further encouraging attendants to not hesitate in seeking consultation from Roedl & Partner or EKONID should they need any support in doing business in Indonesia.
As one of the largest Muslim populations in the world with 225 million Muslim residents (about 87.2% of the total population), Indonesia is driving the global demand for halal cosmetics. The global halal cosmetics market is expected to reach US$54.16 billion by 2022, registering 15.2% growth for the cosmetic segment during the forecast period. According to the Indonesia Halal Economy Report 2021/2022, Indonesia’s $4.19 bn halal cosmetics industry is expected to grow by nearly 8% a year until 2025. In recent years, Indonesia has seen an increase in their middle-class population purchasing power which plays a large influence on lifestyle - Muslims in Indonesia are living increasingly modern, urban lives, supplied with the latest technologies, trends and fashions. It is no wonder that Indonesia ranks second in the world for halal product consumption. Bearing this in mind, amongst the leaders of the global halal economy, Indonesia is in a positive position in terms of trade and investment with the potential to further capitalize on their strengths: the Muslim market. A glance of the Indonesian halal cosmetics market Between January and August 2020, Indonesia's cosmetics product exports totaled US$135.67 million. During the pandemic, there was a shift in the industry from make-up products to skincare. Wardah, a brand under the Paragon Technology & Innovation Company is a pioneer of halal cosmetics and skincare products in Indonesia. The company owns one of the largest manufacturers of cosmetics and is one of the local key players in Indonesia that have successfully generated revenue of approximately US $214 million (around Rp 3.05 trillion) in 2020 from the Wardah brand only. Following its potential for halal products in the country, Indonesia has also set a target to become the halal industry center in 2024. As such, this gives halal cosmetic manufacturers in Indonesia a market advantage for halal cosmetics. In line with the above, in October 2014, the Indonesian government issued a new regulation that requires halal certification for products circulating in Indonesia, namely Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance Law. The law applies to all products that are imported to, distributed and traded in Indonesia. Especially for cosmetics products, the obligation for halal certification has been set since October 17, 2021, and stakeholders must comply with the deadline by October 17, 2026. “Halal certification mandate for drugs, cosmetics, and worn and utilized products now comes into force as we begin to implement the second stage of the new halal quality regime from Oct. 17, 2021, to the same date in 2026," according to the Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as quoted from the Jakarta Globe. With the regulation imposed in the country, foreign companies looking to export products to Indonesia that require halal certification must first gain halal certification through a body within their own country. The Institute of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) has a list of approved bodies and partners on their website for clarification on which agencies are considered to uphold the international standard of HAS (Halal Assurance System) 23000. BASF as the global benchmark from Germany is a prime example of a company that has turned this regulation to its advantage, offering 145 ingredients for personal and home care products that have been certified by the international halal standard of HAS 23000. Prospects for Indonesia’s halal cosmetics industry The prospect for the cosmetics industry in Southeast Asia's largest economy remains bright for the coming years. According to Globaldata, a leading data analysis company, it is estimated that the market size of beauty and personal care in Indonesia will reach Rp 1.51 trillion (about US $7 billion) in 2023 from Rp 7.3 trillion (about US $5 billion) last year. Euromonitor International also predicts that Indonesia, along with Vietnam, will become the fastest-growing cosmetics market in Asia. A key driver in the uptake of halal cosmetics in Indonesia is the wealth of opportunities in different segments within the same industry of beauty. As of 2017, the impact of social media on halal cosmetics have been significant with Indonesians making up over 6% of Instagram’s overall monthly active users. Modern Muslim in Indonesia is highly connected to social media, fashion and beauty. Additionally, beyond social sharing, the rapid growth of e-commerce such as Tokopedia, Shopee as well as beauty platforms such as Sociolla have provided easier access for products to meet consumers across the archipelago. Halal regulations have brought about new opportunities for the cosmetics industry in Indonesia. Besides giving on-site cosmetic manufacturers a competitive edge over off-site brands in the domestic market, halal-certified local cosmetic companies can also grow their market share in overseas markets like Europe whereby, according to findings from the Pew Research Center, the Muslim population in Europe has been forecasted to grow from 5.9% in 2010, to 6.8% in 2020, 7.8% in 2030, 9% in 2040, and 10.2% in 2050.