REPORT OF THE 9 TH MEETING ON THE NATIONAL FOCAL POINT FOR THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB (ACC) ON ASEAN COOPERATIONAND JOINT APPROACHES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOREST PRODUCTS PROMOTION SCHEME 22 – 23 June 2006 Pacific Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia INTRODUCTION 1. The 9 th Meeting of the National Focal Point for the ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC) on the ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme was held on 22 – 23 June 2006 at Pacific Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The Meeting was attended by 36 delegates from the government and private sectors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The list of the delegates appears in ANNEX 1. AGENDA ITEM 1: OPENING SESSION Welcoming Remarks by Chairman of ASEAN Cocoa Club The Chairman of the ACC, Dato' Dr. Azhar Ismail, Director General of the Malaysian Cocoa Board welcomed all delegates to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and especially to the 9 th Meeting of the National Focal Points for the ACC on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. The Chairman recapitulated that t he ACC was established on July 1996 at this very same capital city and state of Sabah, Malaysia involving all ASEAN countries comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ACC was established in pursuant of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme signed by the ASEAN Ministers in Agriculture and Forestry at their 16 th Meeting in Langkawi on 25 – 27 August 1994. The ACC was formed to enhance collaborative efforts among ASEAN member countries in strengthening and enhancing the intra-ASEAN Trade on cocoa and cocoa products in the international market as well as to collectively overcome tariff and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and unfair trade practices imposed by the importing countries. He highlighted the situation of the ASEAN cocoa economy as well as the world cocoa economy and the need for the ASEAN member countries to continue working together to facilitate cocoa trade among member countries particularly in addressing issues affecting cocoa trade, standardizing standard requirement, easing lengthy procedures and documentations as well as to continue cooperation and networking that will benefit member countries. He also highlighted that a number of programmes and areas of cooperation on cocoa and cocoa products within ASEAN have been formulated as underline in the ACC Workplan for 2005– 2010. This is in line with the decision agreed by the 25 th SOM– AMAF to the extension of the MoU on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme as it had proven that the MoU had enhanced cooperation between public and private sectors in ASEAN economic activity. The various activities and programmes being planned and to be implemented by the ACC are to increase the market share and consumer knowledge that eventually gives mutual benefit to all members. The welcoming speech of Dato' Dr. Azhar Ismail the Director General of the Malaysian Cocoa Board appears in ANNEX 2. Opening Address from the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia Yang Berhormat Datuk Anifah Hj. Aman, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia declared open the 9 th Meeting of the National Focal Points for the ACC on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. In his opening address, he welcomed all participants to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and hope that the 9 th ACC Meeting would be able to promote stronger ties and better cooperation among the ASEAN member countries, especially in relation to cocoa trade arrangements in the world market. He highlighted the situation of the cocoa industry in the ASEAN countries, as a whole ranked as the second largest producers of cocoa beans in the world and the largest in the Asia and Oceania region. The cocoa production in ASEAN accounted for about 14.3% of the total world cocoa production in 2005/06. The total cocoa production in ASEAN region in 2005/06 was estimated at 481,000 tonnes. In terms of grindings, ASEAN accounted about 13.2% of the total world cocoa grinding in 2005/06. As a whole the ASEAN countries is the largest cocoa processors in Asia and Oceania region contributing about 73.7% of the total cocoa grindings in this region. He further highlighted that ASEAN cocoa has many advantages among which are the vast availability of supply of raw cocoa beans that enable ASEAN countries to strengthen the downstream activities and attained high value added products. The ASEAN cocoa has also attained significant recognition in the global market although the marketing of cocoa has increasingly become more complex as the countries developed from not just trading beans but to subsequently marketing of other cocoa products. As such, the ASEAN countries should continue working together especially in addressing issues pertaining to pest and diseases such as the cocoa pod borer, enhancing quality so that we are able to supply world standard quality of cocoa products and managing production as an effort to stabilizing price and in ensuring remunerative income and return to cocoa growers and producers. As for the ACC Meeting, which has been in existence for 10 years since its establishment in 1996, its role in enhancing the intra– ASEAN Trade on cocoa and cocoa products as mooted in its objective of formation should be further strengthened as currently its activities and programmes were more on the monitoring and exchanging of information. A more relevant and applicable activities and programmes should be planned and implemented that will give mutual benefit to all members. The ASEAN member countries should have a common stand on policies and strategies through this regional cooperation that would strengthen the voice from ASEAN. Apart from ACC, International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and Cocoa Producers’ Alliance (COPAL) are other cocoa international bodies that address cocoa trade and non– trade issues. Indonesia is urged to consider joining COPAL to further strengthen the position of ASEAN. The opening address of the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia appears in ANNEX 3. AGENDA ITEM 2: ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN Traditionally the host country would be appointed as the chairman of the meeting. In line with this, Dato' Dr. Azhar Ismail, Director General of the Malaysian Cocoa Board and Chairman of the ACC chaired the 9 th ACC Meeting and Mr. Dede Kusuma Edi Idris, Deputy Director for United Nations Bodies and International Organizations Cooperation, Directorate of Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Trade from Indonesia was elected as the Vice–Chairman. AGENDA ITEM 3: ADOPTION OF AGENDA 14. The meeting adopted the Agenda of the 9 th ACC Meeting with additional Item 12.4 on country report by Indonesia on the formation of the Indonesia Cocoa Commission (ICC). The agenda of the 9 th ACC Meeting appears in ANNEX 4. AGENDA ITEM 4: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS 15. The Meeting was held in plenary. AGENDA ITEM 5: MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 27 TH SOM–AMAF, 26 – 27 SEPTEMBER 2005; 5 TH SOM–AMAF + 3, 28 TH SEPTEMBER 2005; 27 TH AMAF, 29 TH SEPTEMBER 2005 AND 5 TH AMAF + 3, 30 TH SEPTEMBER 2005, TAGAYTAY CITY, THE PHILIPPINES In the absence of the representative from ASEAN Secretariat, the Meeting took note of the report prepared by the ASEAN Secretariat that was presented by the representative from the Cocoa, Tobacco and Pepper Division of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia on matters arising from the above – mentioned meetings in relation to ACC. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme The Meeting was informed that the 26 th AMAF (7 October 2004) had extended the implementation of the MoU on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme from 28 th October 2004 to 27 th October 2009, with the view to serve as a foundation to promote the cooperation of private sector and coordination arrangements related to trade in ASEAN agriculture and forest products. The Meeting was further informed that in line with the decision of the 26 th AMAF for SOM–AMAF to undertake a comprehensive review of the MoU, various comments concerning three additional articles on Suspension, Confidentiality and Dispute Settlement had been provided by Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. These have been consolidated into a revised draft MoU. Taking into consideration the observation expressed by Thailand through a letter dated 2 nd August 2005 to the ASEAN Secretariat on the inclusion of the three Articles, the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme was given the responsibility to further look into this matter and to provide its recommendation to the next Special SOM–AMAF. Regional Framework and Policy Guidance The Meeting was informed that the 10 th ASEAN Summit held on 29–30 November 2004 in Vientiane endorsed the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) as the successor of the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA). Relevant programmes and activities on food, agriculture and forestry are included in the ASEAN Economic Integration and the ASEAN Socio–Cultural Community components of the VAP. In addition, ASEAN Leaders also signed the Framework Agreement for Integration of Priority Sectors, including the Protocols and Roadmaps for Integration of wood-based products, rubber – based products, agro – based products and fisheries sectors. This signal reaffirmed the ASEAN’s commitment to fast track the economic integration towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as a single market and production base with free flow of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and capital. The Meeting was also informed on the endorsement of the Strategic Plan of Action for the ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (2005– 2010) by the 26 th AMAF Meeting. The Strategic Plan of Action for the commodity sector for palm oil, rubber, cocoa and pepper was approved by the Special SOM – 26 th AMAF in Mandalay, Myanmar on 26 – 27 July 2005. AGENDA ITEM 6: Matters Arising from the 12 th Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme, 5 – 7 July 2005, Makati City, The Philippines. The meeting took note on the report prepared by the ASEAN Secretariat on the matters arising in the 12 th Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme held in Makati City, the Philippines from 5 th–7 th July 2005 of relevance to cocoa as presented by the representative from the Cocoa, Tobacco and Pepper Division of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities Malaysia as in ANNEX 5 . The Meeting was informed on the progress in the implementation of the ACC activities and programmes as well as the issue on attendance at the ACC meetings brought up to the attention of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. It was agreed that t he N ational Focal Points would serve as the main contact points for coordinating activities and disseminating of information for the respective commodity. All information must be coursed to the National Focal Point where they will be responsible for following up and reporting on the matter at their meetings and the meetings of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme . T he use of the internet as a basis for communication was also encouraged. The email is a fast and efficient means for Member Countries to get information across. As this concern does not only apply to the ACC, other National Focal Point Working Groups and Industry Clubs were requested to take note of these recommendations when conducting their activities. AGENDA ITEM 7: ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEAN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS/COMMODITIES Formulation of ASEAN Cocoa Contract Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) informed the Meeting that t he Sub – Working Group has worked extensively on the ASEAN cocoa contract, using the Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC) contract as a reference and made some minor but necessary changes to accommodate some of the unique features of the long – standing trade practices in the Asian region. FCC is very supportive on this ASEAN Cocoa Contract project especially on helping with the arbitration structure in which FCC has extensive experience and expertise. Mr. Alan Cook, the President of FCC was in Singapore on 3 rd March 2006 and made a presentation on market rules for beans and products and the working of arbitration rules. The attendance from the industry was overwhelming. The Meeting was further informed that the CAA Sub –W orking Group on the contract was working very hard to get a draft copy of the contract ready within the next three months for consultation with the relevant industry players before submitting it to the Working Group and later on presented to the ACC for adoption. The Meeting expressed concern that the formulation of the ASEAN Cocoa Contract is taking too long since it was mooted in 1994. To ensure that the contract will be ready for adoption in the next ACC meeting, the Meeting agreed on the following work schedule: The Sub-Working Group to finalize the draft of the contract by 30 th September 2006. The draft contract will be circulated to the members of the ASEAN Cocoa Contract Working Group and National Focal Points of each ASEAN member country. A series of consultations between relevant government and private sectors in respective member countries will take place until 31 st December 2006. Views and comments should be forwarded to the Working Group within this three months period from the date of the circulation of the draft contract. The Working Group will meet in January 2007 to finalize the draft contract before it is presented to the next ACC meeting. All members of the ASEAN Cocoa Contract Working Group should attend this meeting. In the absence of any representative, they are bound by the decision of the Working Group. The Meeting took note on the view from Indonesia that the ACC Secretariat should put clearly the objectives of the meeting in the letter of invitation, so that they understand the importance of the meeting. The Meeting agreed that the ACC Secretariat would coordinate the meeting of the Working Group to be held in January 2007. The Meeting agreed that any comments should be discussed and settled in the Working Group meeting and the final draft will be presented to the next ACC meeting for adoption only. The Meeting agreed to revise the membership of the ASEAN Cocoa Contract Working Group: The ACC Secretariat would officially invite Brunei, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to submit nominations of their representative within one month from the date of the letter of invitation. In the absence of the nominations, these countries would be bound by the decision of the Working Group. The National Focal Point for Indonesia would provide the names of the two representatives to the Working Group apart from those representatives that had been nominated during the 8 th ACC Meeting. To include Cocoa Manufacturing Group (CMG) as a member of the Working Group to represent the private sector in Malaysia. Tariff and Non–Tariff Barriers on Cocoa Beans and Cocoa Products The ACC Secretariat informed the Meeting that in 2006 seven member countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam had reduced their import tariffs on cocoa and cocoa products to 0-5% under the CEPT Scheme with exception of Myanmar and Cambodia that still impose an import tariff between 10–15% and 11–20% respectively. Although there was a difference in the implementation period for Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Vietnam (CMLV), which were allowed to have longer period of tariff reduction up to 2008, Lao PDR and Vietnam are ahead of the schedule. The latest matrix CEPT reduction schedule on cocoa and cocoa products appears in ANNEX 6 . On Free Trade Area (FTA) between ASEAN and other countries, the Meeting was informed that the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China had been concluded. The Framework for Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and Japan had commenced negotiation in April 2005 and committed to conclude the negotiation within two years. Liberalization concession under Bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and individual ASEAN countries were in progress and some countries have concluded their negotiations. FTA ASEAN–Korea is expected to come into force on 1 st July 2006. The FTA with US, Australia, New Zealand and India are still in the negotiation process. The general MFN import tariff schedule on cocoa and cocoa products of ASEAN countries, China, India, Korea, Japan, USA, New Zealand, Australia, EU and Pakistan appears in ANNEX 7 . On the suggestion to further liberalize the import tariff on cocoa and cocoa products under the ASEAN Free Trade Area–Common Effective Preferential Tariffs (AFTA–CEPT) to zero, the Meeting was informed that Malaysia through the Malaysian Cocoa Board had prepared a proposal to further liberalize the import tariffs on cocoa products and in the process of getting an approval from the Malaysian government. The Meeting was also informed that during the meeting of related institutions in Indonesia, it has been informed that ASEAN countries request to further liberalize the import tariffs under CEPT on cocoa and cocoa products to zero as discussed in the previous ACC 8 th Meeting held in Bali, Indonesia. Indonesia also informed that the new decree from the Ministry of Finance showed that the import tariff for cocoa beans is 5% and cocoa products are 15%. All matters related to tariffs in Indonesia are handled by a special team for tariff harmonization under the Ministry of Finance. The Meeting took note on the report by Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam on their current CEPT rates on cocoa and cocoa products. The Meeting recognized the rational to further zerorise the CEPT Scheme on cocoa and cocoa products to enhance flow of trade inter ASEAN as well as promoting cocoa consumption in this region. However, the Meeting also took note on the difficulties faced by the ASEAN member countries to further reduce their import tariffs to zero considering the different social and economic situation in each member country. With regards to the issue on discriminatory tariffs imposed by EU, Malaysia informed the Meeting that ACC was not the only forum that discussed the issue on trade barriers. Malaysia, being a member of ICCO had raised the issue on tariff discrimination in EU where the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) are getting preferential treatment. This issue on preferential treatment in import tariffs accorded by EU should be addressed by ASEAN as a group. To clarify the issue on the different tariffs accorded between ASEAN member countries and China, Malaysia informed the Meeting that the negotiation between ASEAN and China began with multilateral negotiation. The bilateral negotiation between China and individual ASEAN countries was carried out after the agreed framework between ASEAN and China signed in July 2003. Malaysia was able to conclude the negotiation with China earlier than Indonesia. The negotiation consisted of two phases, which are early harvest package and normal track. Malaysia was able to include cocoa products except sweetened cocoa powder and chocolate under the early harvest package commencing on 1 st January 2004. There would be different tariffs for individual countries from ASEAN countries to China, while there will be a single tariff for China to ASEAN countries. However by 2006, the single rate should apply to all ASEAN countries or single tariff for ASEAN cocoa products. AGENDA ITEM 8: ENHANCEMENT OF ASEAN COOPERATION AND JOINT APPROACHES IN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate The Meeting took note on the information transpired from the 27 th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants held in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 th June to 3 rd July 2004, the enforcement of MRLs at the national level discussed at the 38 th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues in Fortaleza, Brazil held on 3 – 8 April 2006, the food labeling issues raised at the 34 th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling in Ottawa, Canada held from 1 – 5 May 2006, the status of the Proposed Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients discussed at the 33 rd Session held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the 38 th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants held in the Haque, Netherlands on 24 – 28 April 2006 as appears in ANNEX 8. AGENDA ITEM 9: DEVELOPMENT, ACCELERATION OF TRANSFER AND ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES Proposed Trials on Selected Cocoa Progenies in Selected ASEAN Regions The Meeting was informed that Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to conduct a joint progeny trial under the ACC technology transfer program. The joint progeny trial is conducted by the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) and the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) with an objective to evaluate new hybrids that are high yielding, possess good bean characteristics and tolerant to common pest and diseases. Malaysia reported that the MCB had initiated hand pollination activities to obtain seeds of the progenies for ICCRI in October 2004. The first batch of seed consignment to ICCRI was sent on 30 th March 2005. ICCRI had planted the progenies into the field except PBC 123 x BR 25 and KKM 22 x BR 25. The detailed information on proposed trials on selected cocoa progeny carried out by Malaysia appears in ANNEX 9. Indonesia informed the Meeting that the pollination activity had started early this year. There were progenies transferred from Malaysia (MCB) to Indonesia (ICCRI) and ICCRI is currently conducting the crossing of the progenies. The detailed information on proposed trials on selected cocoa progeny carried out by Indonesia appears in ANNEX 10. The Meeting was informed that the parameters to be measured in the assessment on the cocoa pod borer (CPB) tolerance in the progeny trial include the anti xenosis (non-preference), antibiosis and tolerance. Assessments of tolerance based on morphological traits include pod surface morphology, husk thickness and sclerotic layer hardness and thickness. A more precise penetrometer is being used to measure the sclerotic layer hardness. Average damage severity index (ADSI), which measures the CPB infestation in the pods of the clones are also measured. Resistance index which include morphological traits measurement, CPB egg count and ADSI will be calculated to indicate the level of resistance among the progenies. The Meeting also noted on the urgency to develop planting materials that are tolerant to CPB. Malaysia informed the Meeting that the ACC had submitted a proposal on the resistance of CPB to Dutch Buffer Stock for funding. This is a joint project between the MCB and the University of Readings of United Kingdom. AGENDA ITEM 10: ENHANCEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) Singapore informed the Meeting that CAA had its annual general meeting recently and the number of memberships has increased to more than 20 including processors, traders, logistic companies and an NGO (International Finance Cooperation (IFC) of the World Bank). The Meeting suggested that CAA take note to ensure the activities and objectives of NGO is supportive of the cocoa industry. The Meeting was also informed that recent activities undertaken by the CAA include formulating CAA beans quality specification, drafting cocoa contract, building international cocoa network with relevant association and bodies such as CMA, FCC, World Cocoa Foundation, MCB and Indonesian Cocoa Commission. AGENDA ITEM 11: FORMATION OF WORKING GROUP UNDER ACC TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACC ACTION PLAN ACC Food Safety Working Group The Secretary of the ACC Food Safety Working Group informed the Meeting that EU set a maximum PAH limit of 2ppb for oils and fats starting from 1 st April 2005. For cocoa butter, the case would be reviewed by 1 st April 2007. The Meeting also informed that Japan has introduced the ‘positive list system’ for cocoa and cocoa products on 29 th May 2006. Lindane is one of the pesticides highlighted. The Japanese government has agreed to set a maximum limit of 1ppb under new MRL standard. Concerning the issue on PAH, the Meeting agreed that ACC under the Food Safety Working Group should take serious initiative on this matter and channel the views to AMAF through Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. As agreed in the 8 th ACC Meeting in Bali, Malaysia and Indonesia had submitted the list of chemical used by the cocoa plantation and smallholders as appeared in ANNEX 11 and ANNEX 12. Other member countries are requested to provide the similar lists to the ACC Secretariat by 30 th July 2006. The ACC Secretariat will write to the National Focal Points of the other member countries in getting the list. The Meeting agreed on the proposed project on capacity building in testing of the agriculture chemical residues in cocoa and cocoa products together with Japan suggested by Malaysia. This project could be carried out under the ASEAN+3 and to be submitted to the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme meeting and later to the AMAF meeting. The Meeting agreed that Malaysia would prepare this proposal. The member countries were requested to provide inputs for the preparation of this proposal to ACC Secretariat by 30 th June 2006. ACC Bean Quality Working Group The Meeting took note on the progress report on ACC Bean Quality Working Group presented by the Secretary of the Working Group as appears in ANNEX 13. The Meeting was informed that for bean quality (specifically bean quality of Sulawesi, which was the major concern when the bean quality task force was set up), the beans e xported from Sulawesi this year have wastes averaging 4% with the range of 3.5 – 6%, this is an improvement compared to the last two years where the range was more like 4 –8 %. The bean count has also improved from 118 to 112 due to better weather conditions and the continuous effort by the industry – government cooperation to work with growers in cocoa pod borer control and good agricultural practices (frequent harvesting, fertiliser, sanitation and prunning). Indonesia informed the Meeting that Indonesia is in the process of revising the cocoa beans quality standard under the Standard National Indonesia (SNI). Presently, the implementation of SNI is on a voluntary basis, however, Indonesia has the intention to make it mandatory. The Meeting also agreed that the cocoa beans quality did not only depend on fermentation level but also other parameters such as bean waste, slaty, mouldiness, fat content and uniformity of beans size. The Meeting took note on the report by Malaysia on the changes of the Standard Malaysian Cocoa (SMC) as appears in ANNEX 14. The grade for Malaysian cocoa beans would be reduced from six to three grades effective 1 st July 2006. AGENDA ITEM 12: OTHER MATTERS ACC Database The ACC Secretariat presented the ACC database and informed the Meeting that the database remained incomplete particularly on the statistical section as member countries had not provided the necessary information requested by the Secretariat. The homepage could be accessed through the MCB homepage http://www.koko.gov.my/acc. Member countries were requested to furnish their certified information to the ACC Secretariat for inclusion in the database. The ACC database contains information on the background and objective of the ACC, list of members, the ACC current and previous work plans, the ACC upcoming and previous meetings, statistics on area, production, grindings, prices, export, import and tariffs. The statistical data submission except for tariffs should cover the period started from 1991 onwards and to be updated every six months or whenever necessary. The data on tariff should be the current import tariffs on cocoa and cocoa products. Additional feature is the link to the World Factbook on the latest country profile. The Meeting agreed that all member countries should submit the requested data to the ACC Secretariat by 30 th July 2006. The Meeting took note on the various changes on the National Focal Points and requested member countries to submit their newly appointed focal points to the ACC Secretariat. The Meeting took note on the suggestion to provide online facilities to update the database by giving special password to the National Focal Points. The Meeting also agreed to provide the annual meeting agenda in the ACC database. ACC Logo The ACC Secretariat informed the Meeting on the need to have a specific logo and letterhead for the ACC so that it could be used in correspondence either with its member countries or non member countries. All correspondence involving ACC in the past has been transmitted using the host country letterhead and logo. A specific letterhead and logo for ACC should be made available to avoid confusion. The Meeting was presented with three proposals on ACC logo by Malaysia. Other member countries were requested to submit their proposed logos to the ACC Secretariat by 30 th July 2006. All the proposed logos would be included into the ACC database for selection among the member countries. The Meeting agreed on the proposal by Vietnam to have the ACC slogan. Member countries are requested to submit their proposed slogan to the ACC Secretariat by 30 th July 2006. ACC Funding The ACC Secretariat informed the Meeting that since the establishment of the ACC in 1996, the implementation of the activities proposed in the ACC work plan including organizing its annual meeting is funded by the government of the host country with the cooperation of the cocoa associations. The ACC has no other source of funding to finance its current activities. Therefore, the mechanisms to raise funds to finance the activities carried out under ACC should be formulated. The Meeting took note of the concerned and suggestion of the ACC Secretariat on this matter. However, member countries have difficulty to provide the special fund for ACC. Therefore, the current practice of the implementation of ACC activities remains status quo. The Meeting took note on the request by Indonesia to get information on the funding of the other working groups under the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme. Indonesia Cocoa Commission (ICC) Indonesia informed the Meeting on the formation and establishment of the Indonesia Cocoa Commission (ICC), which was established under the Ministry of Agriculture Decree on January 2006. It is a coordinating body involving cocoa stakeholders, government, private sector and research institution. The tasks of the ICC are to provide input to government policy and regulation to supplement the cocoa industry development and to initiate and promote the eventual establishment of Indonesian Cocoa Board. The membership of the ICC comprises of representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance and other related institutions. The chairman of the Commission is the Directorate General (DG) of Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products, Ministry of Agriculture. The vice chairmen are the DG of Estate Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Chairman of Indonesian Cocoa Associations (ASKINDO), Chairman of Indonesian Cocoa and Chocolate Manufacturer Association (APIKCI), Chairman of Indonesian Cocoa Farmers Association (APKAI) and Chairman of Indonesia Cocoa Industry Association (AIKI). The Executive Secretary and Secretary of the Commission are assigned to conduct daily activities. The considerations of the establishment of the ICC were due to 80% of the cocoa planting in Indonesia is under smallholding and cocoa contributes to Indonesian economic development. Indonesia informed the Meeting that ICC can also be a channel for technical cooperation. Indonesia International Cocoa Conference and Dinner Indonesia informed that ASKINDO is organizing the International Cocoa Conference and Dinner 2007 on 28 – 29 June 2007 at Bali, Indonesia. Member countries are invited to attend the event. Issues on Export Tax of Indonesia The Meeting took note on the Malaysia concern on the intention by the Indonesian Government to impose an export tax of between 2 – 5% on cocoa beans and requested Indonesia to update the status of the proposal. Indonesia reported that as to date there is no decision on the intention to impose the export tax on cocoa beans by the Indonesian government. However, Indonesia informed that they are in the process of abolishing the value added tax. AGENDA 13: DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING The Meeting agreed that the 10 th Meeting of the ACC on the ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme is to be held in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on 26 – 27 June 2007. Vietnam has agreed to host the 11 th Meeting of the ACC on the ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme to be held before June 2008. AGENDA 14: ADOPTION OF THE REPORT The Meeting unanimously adopted the report of the 9 th Meeting of the ACC on the ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on 22– 23 June 2006. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Chairman of the ACC expressed his gratitude and thanks to all delegates for their active participation in the meeting. The delegation of Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam expressed their sincere appreciation to the government of Malaysia in particular the MCB for their warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made for the meeting. The meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.
Report "Report of the 9th Meeting on the National Focal Point for the Asean Cocoa Club"