INDONESIAN and Indian palm oil and vegetable oil producers has agreed to promote sustainable palm oil framework adopted by the two countries, namely Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Indian Palm Oil Sustainability Framework (IPOS). The agreement was reached at the meeting between Indonesian Palm Oil Board (DMSI), The Solvent Extractors\' Association India (SEA India) and Solidaridad Network Asia Limited (SNAL) which was facilitated by Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/12/2018). "This is a business to business meeting.

PALM oil stakeholder from Indonesia and India gathered in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/12/2018), to discuss implementation action of MoU between the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), Indonesian Palm Oil Board (DMSI), and Solidaridad Network Asia Limited (SNAL). "Today we discussing actions we would take on the MoU," Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Musdhalifah Machmud said. Generally, the meeting was to discuss global challenges in palm oil trade, particularly between partners in Asia.

PT Pertamina (Persero) will use its oil refinery in Plaju, South Sumatera to produce palm oil-based green fuels.

THE Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDPKS) has signed cooperation agreement with Bank Sumsel Babel to support oil palm plantation replanting for members of Oil Palm Farmer-managed Cooperative (KPKS) Suka Makmur and KPKS Tri Bakti Sentosa di South Sumatera. Cooperation agreement was signed at Central Office of Bank Sumsel Babel in Jakabaring, Palembang, South Sumatera, Monday (17/12/2018).

FINANCE minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati invited palm oil industry to contribute in community development in a bid to improve the quality of lives of the local community by providing job opportunities. "A business will last long if local community contribute to the process of improving the business," Sri Mulyani said as she visited palm oil plantation operated by PT MedcoPapua Hijau Selaras in Manokwari, West Papua, Wednesday, (19/12/2018). Sri Mulyani said appreciation must be addressed to businesspeople who initiate to boost investment, particularly in natural resources sector, because it will improve economic activities in the region. On the occasion, Sri Mulyani witnessed a signing of financing agreement between Indonesia Eximbank/Lembaga Pembiayaan Ekspor Indonesia and PT MedcoPapua Hijau Selaras, a palm oil plantation and processing company in Manokwari, West Papua. The Rp150 billion agreement included a financing using sharia scheme and consultation services to MedcoPapua, as a guarantee fund for plasma farmers.

THE government has completed rail test of B20 performance on locomotives.

TRADE Minister Enggartiasto Lukita reaffirmed the government commitment to avoid trade war with the European Union concerning palm oil products. The minister demand countries in the EU not to ban crude palm oil (CPO)-based biodiesel.

THERE are at least 11 companies that are facing penalties for alleged non-compliance with contracts in implementing expanded B20 mandatory program.

THE LEADING environmentalist and advisor to Prince Charles, Sir Jonathon Porritt, criticized video advertisement showing anti-palm oil campaign used by Iceland, a supermarket chain in the UK.

INDIA is expected to lower import tariff on palm oil products from Indonesia and Malaysia early next year.

THE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was signed in Jakarta, Indonesia, (16/12/2018). Representing the signatory countries were the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr.

The Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDPKS) has collected at least Rp14.48 trillion of export levies on palm oil and its derivatives by December 2018, higher than its target at Rp11 trillion and also rose from total collection in 2017 at Rp13.05 trillion. BPDPKS Fund Collection Director Herdrajat Natawijaya revealed that increase in the shipment of palm oil products, included Crude Palm Oil (CPO), has risen the levy collection amid the CPO price decreased. "Export volume increased and it automatically rose levies collection," Herdrajat said at a discussion session with journalist in Sari Pan pacific Hotel, Jakarta, Friday (14/12/2018).