Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has provided remarks on ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of TikTok, purportedly entering into an extensive partnership with PT Gojek Tokopedia Tbk. (GOTO) to create a new e-commerce venture.
The Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) emphasized that such collaboration is permissible as long as it adheres to the relevant regulations, specifically Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 31/2023 regarding Licensing, Advertising, Coaching, and Supervision of Business Actors in Trade through Electronic Systems.
Zulkifli Hasan, speaking after participating in the launch of the White Paper on the National Digital Economic Development Strategy on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, stated that collaboration is acceptable, even for foreign industries.
He clarified that, at present, TikTok Shop has not applied for new permits for e-commerce operations. Nevertheless, he underscored that the government does not inhibit TikTok from expanding its business in Indonesia, including engaging in collaborations with local companies.
He emphasized that collaborations are possible, particularly with local entities. Under Permendag No. 31/2023, the government aims to support the empowerment of SMEs and domestic e-commerce players while bolstering consumer protection.
Zulkifli Hasan explained that the primary objective is to organize social commerce or e-commerce to bolster Indonesia’s economic growth and act as a support system for SMEs and local industries to dominate the market.
Instead of pursuing an e-commerce business license, ByteDance Ltd. is reportedly making an investment in PT Gojek Tokopedia Tbk. (GOTO). This investment by ByteDance is anticipated to set the groundwork for foreign e-commerce ventures in Indonesia.
According to Bloomberg’s report on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, ByteDance has agreed to collaborate with GOTO’s Tokopedia in various areas rather than directly competing with the e-commerce platform.
Details of this collaboration are expected to be announced by TikTok and Tokopedia in the coming week, as per an unnamed source cited by Bloomberg.
