Japan to ask for WTO help on RI car policy

Japan to ask for WTO help on RI car policy

GENEVA (AFP): Japan will ask the World Trade Organization this
month to form a panel to examine a dispute over Indonesia's
controversial national car policy, a diplomatic source said here
Thursday.

"The request will be put forward on April 30" only by Japan
during the monthly meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body,
which handles trade spats, he said.

The United States and Europe have also lodged a complaint with
the world trade body over what they allege is Indonesia's
discriminatory policy on automobiles.

Indonesia's "national" car is currently being imported from
South Korea by a joint venture between Kia Motors and PT Timor
Putra Nasional.

Timor Putra, is exempted from paying import duties and luxury
taxes, which add about 60 percent to the price of other cars in
Indonesia.

Jakarta, which has had months of consultations with the
parties, had been hoping to avert a panel at the WTO.