Indonesia issues rules to block illegally imported mobile phones

JAKARTA: Indonesia has issued regulations to allow authorities to block smartphones purchased on the black market, in a bid to encourage investors to produce mobile phones in the country, a minister said on Friday.

Indonesia is a large market for mobile phone producers, with 60 millions phones sold every year.

“These (regulations) are aimed at creating a level playing field,” Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters. “With this policy, investors will continue to enter Indonesia because their industries are protected from the risks of the black market.”