VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Peru's Congressman Alejandra Aramayo requested that Indonesia be made a strategic partner in the palm oil industry. The request was submitted to the Deputy Minister of Peru's Hydrocarbons, Eduardo Guevara, at the meeting on June 12, 2019 which was also attended by the Indonesian Ambassador Lima, Marina Estella Anwar Bey and Daily Chair of the Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (APROBI), Paulus Tjakrawan. Peru's desire is very based because Indonesia is considered to have succeeded in developing the palm oil industry both in the upstream and downstream industries. This is evidenced by the high productivity of oil palm plantations in Indonesia, as well as the development of various products from palm oil including biodiesel.

The Chair of APROBI explained that Indonesia has been using biodiesel since 2006 and continues to increase every year. At present Indonesia uses a biodiesel content of 20% (B20) and is testing B30. It is projected that by 2020, Indonesia will start using B30. In addition, Indonesia is also developing bio-hydrocarbon fuels in the form of green gasoline, green diesel and green avtur.

This is very interesting for Aramayo to recommend the Peruvian Government to work with Indonesia. As one of the members of the Peruvian Congress who is very active in campaigning for biodiesel use in Peru, Aramayo believes that Indonesia can be a model for Peru to develop the palm oil industry, especially biodiesel for domestic needs. At present the Peruvian Government has implemented the mandate of using B5 but domestic biodiesel production is very small and cannot meet domestic needs so the Government must import biodiesel products from other countries on a large scale.

Aramayo also hopes that Peru can join the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) which has been initiated by Indonesia and Malaysia. At present, Colombia is the first country in the Latin American region to become a member. The Peruvian government welcomed the proposal and said it would study the possibility of Peru becoming a member of CPOPC. Further cooperation with Indonesia in the energy sector such as biodiesel and petrochemicals will be followed up through the Indonesian Embassy in Lima. The Indonesian Ambassador Lima stated that Indonesia was ready to work with Peru to improve good relations between the two countries. The Chairperson of APROBI also stated that Indonesia is ready to share the results of B20's research with Peru for future cooperation in the energy sector. (Source: Indonesian Embassy in Lima)