JAKARTA – Short-video app TikTok is in the process of obtaining an e-commerce permit from Indonesia’s government, state news agency Antara reported, citing Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga.

In September, Indonesia banned e-commerce transactions on social media, a major blow for TikTok, which had pledged to invest billions of dollars in South-east Asia, including Indonesia, the region’s biggest economy.

“Before, they (TikTok) were not compliant, they didn’t have the permit. Now they are taking care of it,” Dr Sambuaga was quoted as saying by Antara on Nov 28.

He said a partnership with a local firm could be done, provided it was in accordance with regulations.

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has 125 million active monthly users in Indonesia, a country of more than 270 million people.

It has been looking to translate the large user base into a major e-commerce revenue source.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the deputy minister’s remarks.

Reuters reported earlier in November that TikTok was in talks on possible partnerships with several Indonesian e-commerce companies, including GoTo’s e-commerce unit Tokopedia, Bukalapak.com and Blibli. REUTERS