S'pore sugar for Aceh

S'pore sugar for Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): PT Kandi Agung, a private company in Banda Aceh, has begun importing cheaper sugar from Singapore instead of Jakarta to meet a rising demand during the Ramadhan fasting month, Antara reported from the Aceh capital on Monday.

Kandi Agung's marketing manager Zulkifli said the first 15 metric tons of 1,015 tons of sugar ordered from Singapore arrived here on Dec. 25.

"We have been ordering sugar from Jakarta. But now, after learning of the cheaper price in Singapore, we'd prefer to order from there," Zulkifli said.

The sugar was distributed to local markets at Rp 3,000 a kilogram compared to Rp. 3,500 to Rp 3,600 for existing stocks.

As part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the government has terminated subsidies and trade monopolies on sugar and other commodities.

Kandi Agung will also order 1,800 tons of flour from Jakarta to meet demands during the Ramadhan month.

"If everything goes well, a shipment of flour and other commodities will arrive in Malahayati Port on Jan. 10," Zulkifli said. (02)