TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi in a written statement on Sunday, Dec. 20, noted interest on utilizing drones for commercial uses - mainly delivering goods - in major cities such as the capital city of Jakarta.

“Drone implementations in the future have unlimited potential either in the non-profit or commercial sectors,” wrote the Transportation Minister on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Head of the Research and Development, Umiyatun Hayati Triastuti, cited the use of drones as delivery tools used in the United States by UPS Flight Forward that she said had obtained certification from the FAA.

“UPSFF and Matternet has conducted more than 1,500 medical deliveries using drones from more than 6,600 patients in North Carolina’s WakeMed medical campus,” she stated. Umiyatun also mentioned the practical uses of drones in other parts of the world.

The transportation ministry believes that drones can be economically efficient with cheaper operational costs for commercial uses but acknowledges that this means the device is yet able to carry large payloads.

She is optimistic that the same implementation in Indonesia would be viable but only after the government has prepared regulations, special flight permits, and agencies able to monitor drone activities.

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M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH