Indonesia-India Palm Oil Business Forum Held in New Delhi
A forum of Indonesian and Indian business leaders has been held in New Delhi to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides, particularly in palm oil sector.
A forum of Indonesian and Indian business leaders has been held in New Delhi to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides, particularly in palm oil sector. The “Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil”-themed forum took place at Mumtaz Hall, Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India, Thursday (21/2/2019).
It was organized by Indonesia`s Ministry of Trade in collaboration with the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Foreign Ministry and Federation India Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita delivered the keynote speech, while opening remarks was delivered by OP Lohia, Chairman of Federation India Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Committee on Mekong Gangga Cooperation and Managing Director, Indo Rama. Minister of Agriculture of India Radha Mohan Singh also attended the forum and addressed a few introductory remarks to the audience.
Enggartiasto laid stress on the importance of trade relation based on partnership and collaboration. “India is the Indonesia’s fourth largest trading partner. However, trade is not about rank, nor surplus and deficit. Trade is about partnership, this is how we meet partner’s demand and how trade contributes to national and other countries’ development,” he added.
Attendees at the forum were also Indonesian Ambassador for India Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Chairman of Steering Committee of BPDPKS Rusman Heriawan, and other leaders in palm oil sector.
The forum also held a panel discussion which was hosted by Rusman Heriawan and featured some speakers, included Swati Maheswari who spoke about health aspect of palm oil. A presentation about Indonesian palm oil industry was delivered by Kanya Lakshmi Sidarta, Secretary General of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) who laid stress on sustainability and good manufacturing practices. At the same time, Secretary General of Indonesia Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi) Harry Hanawi spoke about green energy generated from palm oil.
There were also buyer-seller meetings to provide business leaders an opportunity to closely interact with their counterparts.
India, the Indonesia’s largest palm oil market, has raised import tax on crude and refined palm oil to the highest level in more than a decade. Import tax on CPO was raised to 44% from 30% and the tax on refined palm oil was lifted to 54% from 40%. It has deeply affected Indonesia’s CPO export to India. GAPKI reported 6.71 million tons of CPO exports in 2018, down nearly 12% from 7.63 million tons a year earlier. ***
Attendees at the forum were also Indonesian Ambassador for India Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Chairman of Steering Committee of BPDPKS Rusman Heriawan, and other leaders in palm oil sector.
The forum also held a panel discussion which was hosted by Rusman Heriawan and featured some speakers, included Swati Maheswari who spoke about health aspect of palm oil. A presentation about Indonesian palm oil industry was delivered by Kanya Lakshmi Sidarta, Secretary General of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) who laid stress on sustainability and good manufacturing practices. At the same time, Secretary General of Indonesia Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi) Harry Hanawi spoke about green energy generated from palm oil.
There were also buyer-seller meetings to provide business leaders an opportunity to closely interact with their counterparts.
India, the Indonesia’s largest palm oil market, has raised import tax on crude and refined palm oil to the highest level in more than a decade. Import tax on CPO was raised to 44% from 30% and the tax on refined palm oil was lifted to 54% from 40%. It has deeply affected Indonesia’s CPO export to India. GAPKI reported 6.71 million tons of CPO exports in 2018, down nearly 12% from 7.63 million tons a year earlier. ***
