Government of Indonesia asked Japan to lower or remove fisheries import duties through Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) scheme, said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti in a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo last week.
Japan charges import duty of 7% for Indonesian fishery products. This policy causes Indonesia’s fishery products uncompetitive to Vietnam and Thailand who get exemption of import duties.
Pudjiastuti said Indonesia deserves an import duty exemption as the country is much more vigorous to eradicate illegal fishing than Vietnam and Thailand. In addition, the import duties exemption will also benefit Japanese investors in seafood processing industries.
Regarding Indonesia’s request, Kono said Japan is currently reviewing Indonesia-Japan trade policies and will call the Minister of Agriculture to ask the request.
