AT least a quarter of the world's tin reserves are in Indonesia, so it should not be a surprise that we are the largest producer and exporter of this metal. Ironically, however, Indonesia plays almost no role in setting the world tin price. This bad news emerged after the government issued a new regulation on the export of tin last month.

It seems to be a case of better late than never. Based on Trade Ministry Regulation No. 32/2013, which revised t