Jokowi’s proposed CPO export ban infeasible, say experts

President Joko Widodo

JAKARTA: The government is considering banning the export of crude palm oil (CPO) to force the development of a downstream palm oil industry in the country, but experts say economic constraints keep a viable downstream sector a distant dream.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in a speech on Oct 13 that the government would “at some point” ban CPO exports so that the commodity could be processed into higher-value derivatives, such as cosmetics, food products and biodiesel for both domestic use and export.