Eastern Indonesia is the Future: Jokowi
27 May 2015 08:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of economic potential on the eastern front of Indonesia. "East Indonesia is our future," said Jokowi in the Trade & Investment Forum: East Indonesian Regions, on Monday, May 25.
Jokowi said that the first potential is at agriculture sector. He cited that on his visit in Merauke, he saw a acres of arable land.
With 8 tons per acre productivity, Indonesia can reap 37 million tons per harvest. The number is massive, given that national rice production is at 60 to 70 million tons per year.
"It is only in one regency," he said.
Moreover, Jokowi said that the potential is also seen in fishery sector. "In Maluku, Ternate, and Tidore, we have plenty of fish," he said. "[However] we also have 7,000 foreign boats taking our fish.”
Therefore, Jokowi invited business people to invest in the sector. "Cooperate with fishermen, make cold storage and fish processing," he said. "We will not stand still and watch our potential snatched from us.”
PINGIT ARIA
