INDONESIA

Customs Agency to Regain Lost Authority: The government said it is taking steps to ensure that the flow of imports remains smooth when the country’s customs officers resume control of import and export traffic this week. Customs lost that authority in 1985. Jakarta awarded the Swiss firm SGS a contract to handle customs activities in 1985 after reports of widespread bribery and corruption by civil servants in trade posts. On Aug. 1, final authority for deciding duties owed on imports will be returned to the customs service. However, the government said, it will allow SGS to continue to play a major role in import inspection.