Jakarta, June 29 - Indonesia has issued a permit to PT Sugar Labinta to import an extra 60,000 tonnes raw of sugar in 2009 due to strong demand for refined sugar from the food and beverage sector, a trade ministry official said on Monday.
The sugar refining firm had previously obtained permits to import 100,000 tonnes of raw sugar this year.
"The firm has requested additional imports citing strong demand. After we cross-checked with the food industry, we agreed to permit additional imports," said Diah Maulida, director general for foreign trade at the trade ministry.
Indonesia relies on imported raw sugar to produce high quality refined sugar used by the food and beverage industry, because domestic supply of the sweetener is not yet sufficient.
Southeast Asia's biggest economy is trying to scale back imports of white sugar for household consumption since domestic output is bigger than consumption.