"I think it will be decided early next week," he said at the Trade Ministry building here on Friday.
To meet the need for white crystal sugar, the government would among others consider recommendations from the Indonesian Sugar Council (DGI), he said.
Earlier, the DGI recommended that the government import 240,000 tons of raw sugar to produce white sugar for public consumption.
"The government is part of the DGI. The DGI chief is the agriculture minister. The Trade Ministry also has its representative there. But the final decision will not come from the DGI only," he said.
In this case, the government would always refer to the trade minister`s regulation No. 18/2007 on amendment to the industry and trade minister`s regulation No. 527/2004 on sugar imports, he said.
Under the regulation, the import of white crystal sugar was allowed only to meet consumption needs, he said.
"We must review the regulation No. 527/2004, otherwise, the government may violate its own regulation," he said.
He said the government would make a decision based on the regulation on sugar imports.
He said the import of sugar could be done only if local white sugar production and/or stock fell short of needs.
In addition, the import of sugar could be done one month before and two months after sugarcane milling season, he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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