InfoSAWIT, NUSA DUA? Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita emphasized that the research investment in palm oil is very important. It is to produce palm oil products that the industries and many countries need of. He told this when giving description in the 14th Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and 2019 Price Outlook, Thursday, (1/11/2018) in Nusa Dua, Bali, where InfoSAWIT also attended.
"To increase the palm oil export, we should be able to create the needs and get the exporter countries. The key is by making research and development investment in this commodity,” Enggar said.
The research and development investment could be done to create palm oil that shall contribute to second generation sustainable biofuel. Besides it needs to do that for the health, bioavtur and to participate actively in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel User Groups) and in association of Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuel (RSB).
“It is important to do knowing that the nowadays consumers are well-educated and have high awareness of the environment so they need healthier, safer, and more environmental products,” he said.
Enggar also emphasized that palm oil is not only a commodity for Indonesia and the world but also it has played important role for the economy, in this case, given employment and conquered the poverty.
But as the palm oil industries develop, the negative campaigns are massively blown up by the developed countries. Three main issues about the black campaigns are the health, environment, and sustainable development.
“So the important investment is to make positive campain about palm oil. The stakeholder should unite to face the negatives about palm oil by campaigning the positives,” he said.
The government tries its best through diplomacy to stop the negative campaigns and creat the objective description about palm oil. One thing that has been done is by prioritizing palm oil in every trade agreement between Indonesia and other country.
Last year, palm oil had given 13,7% of the total export income in Indonesia, reaching US$ 168,8 billion and becomes the source of living for 5,3 million workers and source of lives for 21 million of Indonesia. (T2)
