2/1/07 New Delhi, (Newkarala.com)  - The government has cut the import duty on crude and refined edible oil from the six neighbouring countries in South Asia.

Customs duty on refined edible oil from Pakistan and Sri Lanka to 52.5 per cent from 68.75 per cent earlier, a Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) notification said.

It has also brought down the import duty of refined edible oil from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh to 52.5 per cent from 56.67 per cent at present.

The import duty on crude palm oil from Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been cut to 50 per cent from 65 per cent, while the same from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh has been reduced to 50 per cent from 53.33 per cent.

The country imported edible oil about 45 lakh tonne in the season ending October 2006.

The cut in the duty import would not have any effect as the country imports palm oil primarily from Malaysia and Indonesia and soya oil from Brazil and Argentina.

--- PTI