Indonesia to impose sugary drink tax in July 2025
Indonesia plans to impose an excise tax on sugary packaged beverages starting July 2025, aiming to curb excessive sugar consumption and address rising health concerns, the country’s Finance Ministry announced.
Indonesia plans to impose an excise tax on sugary packaged beverages starting July 2025. Photo courtesy of jakartaglobe.id.
Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, spokesperson for the directorate general of Customs and Excise, said on Monday that the government aims to collect IDR3.08 trillion ($190.3 million) in excise tax revenue from sugary drinks in 2025, a significant decrease from the IDR 4.3 trillion target in 2024.
According to him, the government will set regulations to define the scope and thresholds of the tax. Beverages with sugar content below a specified level will be exempt. The tax will apply to factory-produced sugary drinks as well as those sold in stores, including beverages from cafes and bubble tea shops.
This policy seeks to curb excessive sugar consumption, a key factor contributing to the rise in diabetes cases. A 2023 Indonesian Health survey by the Ministry of Health revealed that 11.7% of Indonesia’s population of over 270 million suffer from diabetes. Experts attribute this increase to a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets, including growing preferences for sugary drinks.
Data from the Centre for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) highlights that annual sugary drink consumption in Indonesia surged 15-fold over two decades, from 51 million liters in 1996 to 780 million liters in 2014. This rapid growth has made Indonesia the third-largest consumer of sugary drinks in Southeast Asia.
The excise tax on sugary drinks, first proposed in 2009 by the Ministry of Finance, has faced multiple delays due to opposition from businesses concerned about inflation and potential harm to the industry. The ministry has reiterated that the economic context will be carefully considered when implementing the tax.
Nailul Huda, digital economy director at the Center for Economic and Legal Studies (Celios), suggested adopting a progressive taxation model, where tax rates are based on sugar content. Under this system, products with higher sugar levels will face higher rates, potentially boosting revenue while encouraging healthier production practices.
- Read More
Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam
CT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of CT Group, has begun the second phase of construction on what is set to become Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip factory fully owned by a domestic company.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:50 pm GMT+7
Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam
Japanese retailers Aeon and Sumitomo have planned to expand their networks in Vietnam, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:39 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge
Vietjet Aviation JSC (HoSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-over-year increase in consolidated profit for Q1, driven by strong international expansion and operational excellence, reinforcing its leadership in regional connectivity.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:35 pm GMT+7
Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index
The coastal city of Hai Phong has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US
Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021
Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing
BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7
Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties
Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.
Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters
More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.
Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7
Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo has decided to transfer 50% of the Japanese giant's equity interest in its wholly-owned operator of the $2.58 billion Van Phong 1 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa.
Energy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes
CapitaLand Development has expanded in Vietnam with two major moves - a strategic collaboration agreement with leading local developer Vinhomes and the unveiling of The Fullton, a $800 million low-rise residential project in Hung Yen province.
Real Estate - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:56 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $13.82 billion in the first four months of the year, up 39.9%, while disbursed capital reached $6.74 billion, up 7.3% and marking a record high in five years.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution
The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has ordered amendments to legal regulations to ensure that administrative measures are prioritized in handling civil and economic cases.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 12:30 pm GMT+7
EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end
The European Commission (EC) has delayed its fifth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:53 am GMT+7
Thailand lowers growth forecast for 2025
The Thai Ministry of Finance has cut its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year to 2.1% from 3%, saying that the impact of U.S. tariffs and a global slowdown would weigh on Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:49 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s top lighting manufacturer Rang Dong posts 48% drop in Q1 profit
Hanoi-based Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask JSC, a veteran in Vietnam’s consumer goods sector, reported a 48% decline in Q1 post-tax profit to nearly VND101 billion ($3.9 million), blaming intensifying competition from Chinese imports and foreign-invested enterprises.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7
