INDONESIAN Palm Oil Board (IPOB), The Solvent Extractors\' Association of India (SEA) and Solidaridad Network Asia Limited (SNAL) held a joint working group meeting to discuss palm oil trade cooperation. The meeting, held at JW Mariott Hotel Medan, Indonesia, Tuesday (26/3/2019), was aimed to elaborate challenges in palm oil trade as well as to recognize sustainable palm oil practices in Indonesia. The meeting discussed several key topics: Campaign to promote and create awareness on good properties of palm oil to Indian consumers as well as to counter negative publicity to tarnish the image of palm oil in the world. Issues related to harmonization of tariff. Developing the concept of celebrating International Palm Oil Day. India has become a big producer and exporter of sugar.

A number of Indonesian diplomats visited oil palm plantation and mills in Belitung Island to improve their knowledge of sustainable palm oil.

MINISTRY of Finance has initiated loan disbursement program for small and micro-scale industries in villages.

The Indonesia Oil Palm Plantation Management Agency (BPDPKS) visited Stiper Agricultural Institute (Instiper) Yogyakarta and LPP Yogyakarta to monitor and evaluate implementation of its scholarship program.

The Indonesian Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) organized a capacity building program to help employees to achieve their own development objectives by knowing deeply about sustainable palm oil.

Indonesian delegation at International Green Week Berlin 2019 held a palm oil stakeholders meeting to share knowledge of palm oil with international community. The Palm Oil Stakeholder Forum was held at the International Green Week Berlin 2019 in Berlin, Germany, 22 January 2019.

Foreign Ministry held a brief session for Indonesian ambassador and consul general candidates on leading strategic commodities, including palm oil, to give a broader view of the commodities.

The Indonesian Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) collaborated with Indonesian palm oil businesses took part in the 4th Pakistan Edible Oil Conference (PEOC) and Price Outlook 2019 in Karachi, Pakistan, Saturday (19/1/2019), to promote Indonesian palm oil products. At the conference attended by global edible oil businesspeople, BPDPKS had a stand to provide information about Indonesian sustainable palm oil, included information about palm oil products and its derivatives. Indonesian delegation at the conference included Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Iwan Suyudhie Amri and representatives of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI).

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).

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).