VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia has asked Japan to remove import duty for fisheries products, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiatuti stated.

"Please consider remove import duty for Indonesia, as we are still subjected to a 7 percent import duty," she noted on a statement received by Antara News Agency in Jakarta on Friday.

Japan should grant free import duty for Indonesia`s fisheries product, such as given to Thailand and Vietnam, as it causes Indonesia lose in competitiveness with the two neighboring states, Minister Pudjiatuti pointed out during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo on May 30.

Pudjiastuti emphasized that Indonesia is fit to be granted with free import duty for its continuously and intensively effort in countering illegal fishing than the other two countries.

By granting free import duty, Indonesia and Japan will get mutual benefit as many Japanese business people invest in Indonesia`s fisheries industry.

In regards to the request, Minister Kono said that Japan currently has been reviewing bilateral trade policies with Indonesia. He promised to discuss it with Japan`s Minister of Agriculture. (ANTARA)