Indonesia Seek Lower Import Tariffs From Japan
Tuesday, 09 March, 2010 | 20:15 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesia has requested import tariff cut on Indonesian fish and financial assistance in port projects from the Japanese government in a meeting between officials from the two sides, where the Japanese delegates seek Indonesian support in its campaign to keep tuna catching scientific whaling legal.

The Maritime and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad represented the Indonesian government while the Japanese delegates led by Ambassador Kojiro Shiojiro include include Economic Minister Toru Maeda and Japan Fisheries Attache Yasuharu Ina.

After a the half an hour meeting at the Maritime and Fisheries Department, Fadel told reporters that import duties for Thailand commodities should have been equal with those applied for Indonesian products.

Beside tuna Japan is highly interested with Indonesian prawns,” Director General of Processing and Shipment of Fisheries Products Martani Husein said. And he Japenese delegates demand guarantee for reliable and uninterrupted delivery from Indonesian government.

The Japanese delegates also sought Indonesian support in the Doha Round Meeting to keep tuna and whale off the apendix list of the World Trade Organization, and Fadel said the goverment is principally in support of the Japanese campaign.

The government also pleaded a financial support for a port rehabilitation project in north Jakarta. The central government is planning to revitalize Muara Baru Port a major fishing harbor in North Jakarta to integrate the operation of the port with a second major fishing harbor in the city, the Muara Karang Port. Muara Baru currently operates under the Maritime and Fisheries Department while Mura Karang is under by the Jakarta Municipal Administration.

ARYANI KRISTANTI