http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GB19Ae01.html Feb 19, 2005
Indonesia questions India's CPO import duty hike JAKARTA - Indonesia plans to formally ask India about the purpose of its recent decision to increase duties on crude palm oil (CPO) imports. "I will ask for a detailed explanation about it," Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said here on Thursday. India has raised the palm oil import duty from 65% to 80% as of February 15, 2005. The chief of the Association of Indonesian Palm Oil Producers (GAPKI), Derom Bangung, said the Indian government had its own way of slashing the volume of its CPO imports from Indonesia. He said the decision to raise the import duty was made after complaining about the beta carotene content in the product from Indonesia. The decision coupled with a reduction in the bench price from US$454 to $320 per ton has affected the international price of the commodity. "I will seek an explanation about it. Moreover the decision was made ahead of plans to set up an ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]-India free trade," Pangestu said. To strengthen its position, she said Indonesia would ask Malaysia to file a joint complaint to the relevant Indian authorities. "Malaysia and Indonesia are the world's biggest CPO producers and therefore we have to join forces in this case," she said. Bangung said that the CPO import duty has been raised from $295.10 to $320 per ton, and with the increase in the import duty, Indonesia's exports of CPO to that country are predicted to fall short of expectations. Earlier Bangun predicted CPO exports from the country to India will reach 1.2 million tons this year, up from the usual 960,000 tons a year as a result of its recent decision to abolish the beta carotene requirement. Indian importers were previously allowed only to import CPO with a beta carotene content of at least 500 ppm, but the restriction was removed earlier this month. India has been one of the largest markets for Indonesia's CPO. (Asia Pulse/ANTARA) ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Has someone you know been affected by illness or disease? Network for Good is THE place to support health awareness efforts! http://us.click.yahoo.com/rkgkPB/UOnJAA/Zx0JAA/uTGrlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
