REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Chinese government continues to lobby Indonesian government to access Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta to import its horticultural products. 

Since 2012, only countries listed in Country Recognize Agreement (CRA) can use Tanjung Priok port as their entry access. Countries listed in CRA with Indonesia are the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. CRA is Indonesian government recognition  to importing countries that their products are considered as free of certain diseases. 

Other entry ports are  Belawan in Medan (North Sumatra), Tanjung Perak in Surabaya (East Java) and Makassar in Makassar (South Sulawesi) and Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Jakarta.

Minister of Agriculture, Suswono said Indonesia and China would agree on Mutual Recognation Agreement (MRA). Once the deal secured, Chinese products will be allowed enter Indonesia through Tanjung Priok. Currently, Indonesian government require Chinese products to fulfill some degree of health standard and food safety, such as use of pesticides,as well as quality of packs.

"Without meeting our standard, we will reject the imported products," Suswono said.

Head of Indonesian export-import of fresh fruit and vegetable association (Assibisindo) Kafi Kurnia believes that providing wider access to China means opening access to other countries. 

"If Chinese products are allowed to enter Indonesia through Tanjung priok, other small countries will be left behind. Hence, the government must open the port to all countries," Kurnia said.

Currently, some local products like apple and orange must compete with Chinese products. Last year, imports volume of Chinese oranges reached 198,440 ton, while apples 129,153 ton. Chinese orange is included in the list of products that its safety continues to be monitored by Ministry of Agriculture.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika