New Delhi: The government today said it does not restrict palm oil imports which have jumped by 13 per cent to 27.66 lakh tons in 2006-07 from 24.49 lakh tons during previous year in the wake of rising demand.

Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said import of palm oil is free under the present policy. "Government does not give any specific approval for import of palm oil," Nath said in the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said imports are permitted to maintain uninterrupted supply at affordable prices to the consumers as domestic production is insufficient to meet the edible oil demand.

While palm oil imports have shot up to 27.66 lakh tons in 2006-07, it is much below the record, 35.03 lakh tons during 2004-05, the minister said.

In reply to another question, the minister said India's exports to the major SAARC countries are higher than imports in the last three years. Exports to Bangladesh stood at 1,641.11 million dollars while imports amounted to only 138.3 million dollars between 2004 and 2007. Exports to Sri Lanka stood at 1,897.81 million dollars against 475.58 million dollars imports while exports to Pakistan were higher at 853.29 million dollars compared to imports of 199.26 million dollars in the last three years.

India exported goods worth 843.87 million dollars to Nepal while imports were worth 343.88 million dollars during the 2004-07 period.

Trade with the Himalayan kingdom is governed by the India-Nepal Treaty of Trade, which had been renewed in March this year and is valid till March 2012. However, for Bhutan, the trade is tilted towards the neighbouring country as exports stood at 80.42 million dollars compared to imports of 100.4 million dollars.

Source : PTI