Export agency slams Australian imports ruling<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A government-sponsored export promotion body
\nslammed the Australian government on Tuesday for imposing a
\nstrict importation ruling, which it claimed curbed Indonesian and
\nother neighboring countries' exports of food, beverages and
\nshrimp products to the country.<\/p>\n
The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) of the
\nMinistry of Industry and Trade said in a statement that Indonesia
\nas well as neighboring countries grouped in the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had voiced complaints over the
\nnew ruling.<\/p>\n
The agency said that under the importation policy, the
\nAustralian government had imposed restrictions on the import of
\nshrimp products from ASEAN countries, particularly Indonesia, on
\ncharges that they contained the \"white spot\" virus.<\/p>\n
Ambassadors from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines and Myanmar in Canberra lodged a formal protest
\nagainst the Australian ministry of forestry and agriculture,
\nurging the Australian government to lift its restrictions as
\nthere had not yet been any scientific proof that the virus
\noriginated in Southeast Asia, the agency said.<\/p>\n
The agency also said 13 different products from Indonesia had
\nbeen put on hold by the Australian government and sent back in
\nMay of this year because the products did not have their
\ningredients listed in English.<\/p>\n
The products included shrimp crackers, black tea, condensed
\nmilk, soft drinks, biscuits, noodles, chocolate wafers, tea bags,
\ncrackers, dehydrated seaweed, vanilla oil, peanut flour and
\npowdered milk.<\/p>\n
The government, along with the private sector, has established
\na special team to ensure that other products will not be sent
\nback in the future, BPEN said.<\/p>\n
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service has imposed
\nstrict restrictions on all imported food and beverages to ensure
\nthat every product entering the country meets its standards of
\nhealth and labeling.<\/p>\n
The Australian government agency also requires that all
\nimported food and beverages' packaging lists the product's
\nchemical ingredients, and that products are packed according to
\ngovernment standards.<\/p>\n
Trade with Australia increased by 12.98 percent between
\nJanuary and March of this year to US$750 million, compared to the
\nsame period last year.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesian exports suffered a deficit of $10 million
\nduring that period, with exports from here valued at $370 million
\nwhile Australian imports totaled $380 million.<\/p>\n
Oil and gas exports to Australia during the first three months
\nof the year totaled $181 million, or an increase of 99.35 percent
\nfrom the same period last year.<\/p>\n
Non-oil exports suffered a 24 percent decline compared to last
\nyear, totaling $189 million.<\/p>\n
Out of the 41 types of non-oil and gas products whose exports
\nare monitored by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, some 14
\nexperienced an increase in export to Australia while 27 suffered
\na decline.<\/p>\n
The products which experienced an export increase include
\ntelecommunications products, chemical products, electrical
\nequipment and raw and synthetic rubber.<\/p>\n
Products which suffered a decline in exports include
\nnonmonetary gold, cardboard and paper products, wood products,
\nmineral products, organic chemical products, thread, textiles,
\nchocolate and spices, BPEN said. (tnt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/export-agency-slams-australian-imports-ruling-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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