Sugar Council Recommends Imports of 200 Thousand Tons
Monday, 04 December, 2006 | 15:24 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesia Sugar Council has recommended that the government imports sugar once again in 2007 to 200 thousand tons that will become reserves for May 2007.

According to Chairman of the Indonesia Sugar Council, who is also Agriculture Minister, Anton Apriyantono, the amount is lower than imports of 2005 and 2006 with 435,160 and 216,490 tons each.

Anton was reluctant to say when will the limit be for the imported sugar. “You can ask the Department of Trade,” he said last week in Jakarta. However, he was reminded that the imported sugar must enter at least in March, for April,the harvest season.

He said that the authorized parties for importing are registered importers. “Registered importers, as last year were,” he said.

Director General of Domestic Trade Ardiansyah S. Parman has confirmed the decision of the Indonesia Sugar Council. “It is not because of a delay that we’ve made the decision to import. It is not yet announced, in fact,” he said.

He has also assured customers that there will be a surplus on production and consumption balance for national sugar until December. “Domestic needs are still okay. In fact, we still have a surplus on the balance to 400-600 thousand tons for the needs of three months,” he said.

RR ARIYANI