Semarang, Sept. 18 -- Deputy Chair of House Commission VII Evita Nursanty has urged palm oil exporters to prioritize domestic cooking oil demand before focusing on overseas markets.

"Let us not allow cooking oil shortages to occur. The industry has a responsibility to meet domestic needs," Nursanty said during a Commission VII visit to PT Berkah Emas Sumber Terang (BEST) in Semarang on Friday.

She said palm oil processing and downstream industries play a strategic role in Indonesia's economy.

"The challenge is how to transform this advantage into added value," she said.

Nursanty welcomed the development of downstream palm oil industries, which has increased exports of processed palm oil products.

"We have the capacity to produce valu...