Jakarta: The trade ministry has encouraged all stakeholders to take part in the positive campaigns on palm oil industry to counter all discriminations and negative campaigns against crude palm oil (CPO) at the international stage.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga said that the government will take all necessary steps to counter all of the discriminations and negative campaigns against the palm oil, which is the mainstay export commodity of Indonesia.
“The palm oil is one of our mainstay export commodities. We have to fight for it. We want the palm oil to give positive impact for the improvement of public welfare. Not only for the interest of companies, but also for smallholders and workers of the palm oil industry,” he said in a press statement recently.
Minister Jerry said that the government has strengthened a synergy with business players to launch international positive campaigns on palm oil industry. ”On the perspective of diplomacy, we can use the trade agreements we’re seeking to increase the competitiveness of palm oil,” he said.
According to him, with the trade agreements, such as the FTA and CEPA, the import tariffs for Indonesian products can be pressed down up to zero percent. “The trade agreements are the key, as we can use them to seek tariff preferences up to 0%, so that our products can become more competitive in the market,” he said.
But he pointed out that relying on only the trade agreement is not enough. “It’s particularly so, when it comes to the issue of palm oil. There are issues on palm oil that often stand in the way of trade negotiations. The palm oil has been often the target of negative campaigns regarding environmental and social issues.
Strengthen synergy
Minister Jerry is confident that all countries know the palm oil is more efficient and more environmentally friendly if compared to other vegetable oils. “The more so, as Indonesia has been more active in enforcing the regulations on environment and social affairs in operating the palm oil industry. All countries should see these issues more objectively,” he said.
He said that all sides should not focus on the negative issue itself. “We should realize what is actually behind it. What matters here should be the interests behind the negative issues. No other vegetable oils that are more efficient than palm oil. They will lose to the palm oil if they compete freely and fairly in the global market. That’s why they turn to other means to block the palm oil,” he asserted.
Considering such condition, the minister has urged all stakeholders to strengthen a synergy to support the palm oil industry. “The government alone could not tackle the negative issue only on its own. All palm oil stakeholders, related organizations and NGOs should take part in a concerted effort to counter the negative campaigns. This should become a joint movement that is pursued in a coordinated and synergic way,” he said.
He noted that the government has been continually fighting against the palm oil discrimination at international forums. Currently, the EU has slapped a new import tariff of 8-18 percent on the biodiesel export.
He said that Indonesia’s lawsuit against the European Union (EU) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is still proceeding. “Indonesia demands that the principles of equality and justice be upheld at global market,” he said. (*)
Source: merdeka.com | Featured image via freemalaysiatoday.com
