GoI confused over EU biodiesel dumping allegation

By Godang Sitompul

The government of Indonesia (GoI) is puzzled with allegation by the European Union that the country has committed dumping practices in selling biodiesel in the EU region. The EU threatens to impose anti-dumping tariff against the fuel from Indonesia.

?The Indonesian government is confused with the European Union allegation. We have never been asked for any clarification over this biodiesel (issue),? Director General of New and Renewable Energy, Kardaya Warnika told Petromindo.com Thursday.

Kardaya explained that the government has no direct involvement in the export of biodiesel. ?Companies from Europe buy the biodiesel product from Indonesia, and sell them to consumers in Europe such as Lufthansa. So it?s purely a business affair,? he said.

Separately, Director General of Oil and Gas Evita Legowo commented briefly that she was ?surprised? to hear the EU allegation.

It has been reported that the EU anti-dumping commission is currently making investigation over biodiesel products from Indonesia and Argentine following allegations that the two countries have committed dumping practices. The commission has nine months to conclude its task before anti dumping tariff is slapped.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak