Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has called for stronger trade diplomacy to counter rising tariff and non-tariff barriers in global markets, as Southeast Asia’s largest economy seeks to safeguard exports of its top agricultural commodity.
“Trade diplomacy must be reinforced to address potential tariff and non-tariff obstacles globally,” GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono said at an event in Jakarta on Friday evening, urging closer coordination between governments and industry players.
He said bilateral and multilateral cooperation among countries, including business-to-business partnerships, remains critical to maintaining market access amid growing protectionism and sustainability-related trade measures.
GAPKI has signed several memorandums of understanding with associations in key importing countries that depend heavily on Indonesian palm oil, aiming to secure long-term demand and address regulatory challenges.
The push aligns with broader economic diplomacy led by President Prabowo Subianto, which officials say has delivered tangible gains for Indonesia’s agricultural sector through expanded market access.
Under a reciprocal trade deal between Indonesia and the US, 173 tariff lines covering 53 groups of Indonesian agricultural commodities and their derivatives were reduced to zero import duty in the American market.
The measure is expected to widen access for Indonesian farm products and strengthen the competitiveness of key exports amid intensifying global trade competition.
The agreement, signed under the Agreements on Reciprocal Trade framework by Prabowo and US President Donald Trump, forms part of efforts to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said a total of 1,819 Indonesian tariff lines, spanning agricultural and industrial goods, now enjoy zero-duty access to the US market.
Agricultural products benefiting from the facility include tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples, mangoes, durians and papayas; six coffee tariff lines; green and black tea; and spices including pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and turmeric.
Cocoa and its derivatives, palm oil, palm kernel oil and palm fruit products are also covered, along with processed fruit, cassava- and sago-based flour and starch, and potassium-based mineral fertilizers.
