Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi Inspects logistics vessel serving the Jakarta-Natuna route at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. TEMPO/Odelia
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi claims that the sea toll-road program, initiated by President Jokowi, has boosted inter-island trade activities at Saumlaki. Budi argues that citizens of Saumlaki previously was not familiar with interisland trade activities because of its high cost and long distance.
Budi claims that the program has lowered price disparities in outer islands and remote areas. The program also pushes local citizens to entice a newfound interest towards new business opportunities.
The sea toll-road program promotes more trade activities to take place between Saumlaki Harbor, Java island, and Maluku.
“As soon as the sea toll-road was established in Saumlaki, it became a blessing for the locals. There are potential opportunities to send cargos from there to Java and other Indonesian islands,” Budi said in Ternate yesterday.
Budi views that Tual Harbor has the potential to be a fish trade center in the eastern part Indonesia.
