EU Blocks Indonesia’s Oleochemical, Producers File Dispute to WTO

The Association of Indonesian Oleochemical Producers (APOLIN) reported that Indonesia’s exports of oleochemical product have been continuously increasing during the last few years. However, the oleochemical product is facing a challenge in the global market as the 27 member countries of European Union (EU) impose anti-dumping policy against fatty acid, while India imposes anti-subsidy policy against fatty-alcohol, says a report posted in GAPKI website on March 20, citing sawitindonesia.com. APOLIN Secretary General Rapolo Hutabarat said that the anti-dumping policy has significantly impacted Indonesia’s downstream palm oil industries. 

Rapolo said that they have filed a trade dispute against EU policy at the World Trade Organization (WTO). They had coordinated the trade issue with the trade ministry, industry ministry, and foreign ministry.  According to him, the second obstacle comes from India, which imposes anti-subsidy against fatty alcohol. There are four member companies of APOLIN, which export fatty alcohol to India. “Together with the trade ministry, we’re seeking to tackle this trade obstacle,” he said.