Minister Targets Maritime Sector to Contribute 25 Percent by 2027

TEMPO.CO, Nusa Dua - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, is optimistic that the maritime sector will contribute to a 25 percent economic growth throughout the next decade. Previously, Vice President Jusuf Kalla conveyed his wish for the increase of maritime sector contribution which is currently staying at only 11 percent to increase into 20-25 percent.

“That is, of course, our spirit. It can be achieved. We totally could when the nation becomes more efficient. The problem we often face is inefficiency. If we can tackle the problem, we can accelerate [the growth]. We also have to fix the productivity,” Luhut said on Friday, February 24, 2017.

The area that will contribute to the growth of the maritime sector, according to the minister, is fishery, tourism, and energy. Currently, he said, from the total market potential of US$ 30 billion, there are only 10 percents of fishery products that can be administered. “The current condition isn’t maximized yet because we've just struggled with the illegal fishing issue.”

Luhut says that the aquaculture sector possesses a huge potential. “It could be bigger than [captured fisheries sector],” he said. As for the tourism sector, he says that almost all the current tourist destinations have experienced a hike in the number of its tourist visitations.

In the energy sector, Luhut will map out the ocean based gas and oil potential this year. Indonesia has only mapped-out 10 percent of its sea potential. 

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI