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ANT/RI, US to boost trade in green products
Speaking after accompanying the coordinating minister for economic affairs in a meeting with visiting US trade secretary Garry Locke, Trade Minister Mari Elka pangestu said Indonesia already had a policy to support development of green products.
As an example she referred to the imposition of relatively low duties for various non-pollutive and green products, namely an average of five percent.
Meanwhile, she said, export tariffs for biofuel from palmoil had been set lower than for the raw materials.
"We also have potentials to produce clean technology products and services," she said.
The minister hoped the bilateral trade between Indonesia and the US would remain balanced although the US is currently intensifying exports to create jobs following massive layoffs resulting from the economic crisis last year.
"Imports of clean technology from the US which are accompanied by investment will be win-win," she said.
The US has so far been Indonesia`s main export destination while Indonesia has also be the main destination of the US high-tech exports.
Mari said besides trade cooperation the US could also help Indonesia overcome problems with regard to green standards for products to enter the US and Europe.
"The problem we are facing is about standards such as the European Renewable Energy Directives which is also found in the US. This poses a barrier for us," she said.
For the next four years the government is expecting an increase in exports by 10 to 14 percent a year, she said.
Indonesia`s non-oil/gas exports to the US reach around 10 percent of the country`s total exports.
The meeting was also attended by ministers of state enterprises, national development planning, fisheries and marine resources and energy and mineral resources.
Garry Locke`s arrival was the first trade mission from the US under President Obama. Locke`s delegation members include around 40 businessmen who would be here until Wednesday.(*)
