Ministers to Ensure Easier Licensing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo's economic ministers have promised to accelerate all licensing procedures, said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Issues, Indroyono Susilo, who oversees the ministries of transportation, fishery and maritime issues, tourism and energy and mines.

The licensing facilitation will be a short-term target while the long term project of the Transportation Ministry will be to establish the shipping connectivity between the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Soekarno-Hatta (Makassar) and Sorong (Papupa).

"This will be in line with President Joko Widodo's concept of a sea toll, which means major ports must have the capacity to service thousands of containers," said Indroyono, at this BPPT office.

Meanwhile Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel has announced a target of tripling Indonesian exports in the next five years. To begin next year, the plan will cover the furniture, textile and food and beverage industries. "Hopefully, we can use them as role models," said Rahmat.  In preparation for the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community, he is currently studying Indonesia’s actual position in the regional market.

Maritime and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiasti wants small airports to be built in remote areas, or at least upgrade existing runaways to facilitate fishery products which often face transportation problems. The construction and improvement of transportation facilities in remote areas are expected to help fishermen in penetrating the market chain.

"The fishermen can sell their live and fresh catches directly to the markets" said Susi, who early in her career bought fishermen's products to be exported to countries such as Japan and Korea.

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