Minister Gobel Approves Refined Sugar Imports
23 July 2015 17:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said that he has approved an importation of 600,000 tons of refined sugar to secure supplies for the food and beverage industry.
"[The sugar imports] is aimed at securing the food and beverage industry, in addition to prevent illegal imports," Gobel said at his office on Thursday, July 23, 2015.
Gobel added that the market had been flooded with illegally imported sugar, particularly in border areas. Gobel said that the refined sugar industry must be protected from illegal sugar since it often causes local sugarcane to drop.
"Many people point their fingers to refined sugar, while the fact shows that illegal sugar was the culprit," Gobel explained.
The Trade Ministry has taken preventive measures to keep illegal sugar from entering the market by securing the supply of refined sugar.
The Trade Ministry will continue to follow up the importation of refined sugar with evaluations on sugar demands from the food and beverage industry until the end of this year.
URSULA FLORENE SONIA