A.P. Chambers urges Indonesia to ensure tariff parity for Indian corn starch
During the meeting, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskar Rao and general secretary B. Raja Sekhar raised key trade concerns affecting Indian exporters. They pointed out that corn starch of Indian origin attracts a 10% import duty in Indonesia, whereas Chinese corn starch enjoys preferential tariff treatment. This, they noted, is despite Indonesia being a major importer of the commodity from both countries.
The Indian product's exclusion from the ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) preferential tariff list puts Indian exporters at a disadvantage. They urged the Indonesian Embassy to support the inclusion of corn starch under the AIFTA preferential tariff schedule to ensure a level playing field.
The Chamber also highlighted procedural hurdles related to the Certificate of Origin—an essential export document. While India has adopted a fully digital system, Indonesian trade authorities continue to insist on physical copies with ink signatures, leading to delays. The Chamber requested the Embassy to take up the matter with the relevant authorities in Indonesia.
Further, Mr. Bhaskar Rao expressed concern over Indonesia's quota system on chilli imports from India, which, he said, restricts trade. In contrast, there are no such limits on imports from China. He called for the removal of this quota system to facilitate fairer trade practices.
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