President Joko Widodo Asks to Develop Fishing Industry As Soon As Possible

President Joko Widodo leads a limited meeting discussing marine and fishing industries, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (13/9) afternoon (Picture: Deny. S/Public Relations Office)

President Joko “Jokowi’ Widodo said that intensive works of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to overcome illegal fishing have shown positive impacts for small-scale fishermen. The stock of the fish is now increasing.

The President expects, although global economy is slowing down, marine sector could be the engine that drives the economy. The contribution of marine sector to the GDP is still below 30 percent, even though two-thirds or 70 percent of Indonesia’s territory is covered by sea.

“I think there are a lot of potentials in marine and fisheries sector that have not been used maximally,” the President said when leading a limited meeting on the acceleration of marine and fisheries industries at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (13/9) afternoon.

The increasing stock of fish must be used well for the prosperity of the fishermen, to meet the need of local consumption, and to bring in foreign exchange through export.

“Therefore, fish processing industry, fish canning industry, as well as fishing industry should be developed and improved because this sector will absorb manpower,” the President said.

The President firmly stated that besides tourism, marine and fisheries sector is also expected to contribute to economic growth.

The need of raw materials for fishing industry, the President believes, will make our people have the opportunity to get bigger revenues. Moreover, losses on surplus fish catches and fish harvesting can be avoided. “Thus, fishing industry is so much needed,” the President said.

To start a fishing industry, the President emphasized that the supporting infrastuctures must be well-prepared, such as the supply of raw materials, fishing vessels, road access to the ports, electricity, and the availability of area for processing industry.

Therefore, the President asked Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs as well as Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to take a number of measures to accelerate fishing industry.

“Just cut off complicated regulations or procedures that can hamper investment,” the President firmly said while reminding he has already told several times to build a modern fishing industry.

“Next year, at the latest, Indonesia must have it,” the President said and added that Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti is ready to make it happen.

The limited meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating  Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukito, and Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti. (FID/DID/DNS/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)