Bisnis Indonesia, 26 November 2018
India remains reluctant to ease its protection against Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) despite asking Indonesia to reduce import duty on India’s sugar exports. Trade Ministry Foreign Trade Director General Oke Nurwan said on Sunday (November 25) that the India delegates asked Indonesia to reduce import duty on its sugar to 5% from the initial 10%. However, he said that Indonesia refused to approve the demand. Indonesia hoped that India could reduce CPO import duty, and thus, the government was stalling the request, he explained.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) Vice Chair III Togar Sitanggang said that Indonesia should maintain its position to reopen Indian market. He argued that India’s need to supply sugar to foreign market would increase Indonesia’s bargaining power.