REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING -- Indonesia has reiterated its intention to press for its crude palm oil and rubber products to be included in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation's (APEC's) list of environmental goods this year.

"There are a total of four products, or 15 harmonized system, that we propose to be included in the APEC's list of environmental goods. They are Crude Palm Oil (four harmonized systems), rubber (one), paper (five), rattan (3), and fish (two). The APEC's Policy Support Unit is currently studying the proposal," the Trade Ministry's Director General for International Trade Affairs Bachrul Chairi said here on Thursday.

According to him, the Indonesian government believed that the four proposed products could positively affect development in rural areas, decrease poverty, and improve sustainable development.

"We have engaged all concerned parties, including the associations related to the four proposed products and the local people, to convince the APEC economies that those products are worthy to be included in the APEC's list of environmental goods," stated Bachrul.

The inclusion of products in the APEC's list of environmental goods will qualify a country to get a decrease in duty, bringing it to around five percent, which will thereby increase export rates.

In September 2012, the leaders and representatives of 21 APEC member countries had approved a list of 54 environmental-friendly goods at the APEC Summit in Vladivostok, Russia. Those goods will receive tariff reductions of up to 5 percent by 2015.

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