Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto met with Japanese Minister of Energy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Yasutoshi Nishimura to discuss a reduction in export tariffs on Indonesian goods.



"Currently, Indonesian tuna products are still subject to an import duty of seven percent while similar products from neighboring countries have been exempted from import duties by Japan. For exports of pineapples and bananas, there are still restrictions on the number of exports receiving facilities," Hartarto noted on the sidelines of the IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework) ministerial meeting in Los Angeles, the United States, according to an official statement released on Saturday.



He also conveyed Indonesia's commitment to actively pursuing the four pillars of IPEF, especially the second pillar related to the supply chain.


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Hartarto said he hopes to get support for the development of two strategic commodities, namely semi-conductors and electric vehicle (EV) batteries through trade facilitation, and assistance in developing human resources (HR).



Regarding the exports of canned tuna, Nishimura said that he was finalizing discussions with the relevant ministries in his country, and the Japanese government had approved an increase in the quota for imports of bananas and pineapples.



"Japan will also continue to support cooperation in the development of semiconductors, EV batteries, and support the development of human resources," he assured.




During the meeting, the Japanese minister also conveyed a request regarding the procurement of iron and steel for Japanese industrial raw materials fromIndonesia. He asked for the process to be made easier and smoother.



Regarding the iron and steel issue, Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, wdiscussions on a proposal for resolving the problem were nearly overho was also present at the meeting, said that discussions on a proposal for resolving the problem were nearly over and would be completed by the end of September 2022, before the meeting with the METI Minister.



Minister Kartasasmita further informed that Indonesia also expects support from Japan to accelerate the achievement of zero emissions through collaboration in innovative technologies, such as hydrogen and ammonia technology.


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Translator: Sanya Dinda S, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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