TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During a working visit to Japan on Tuesday Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti invited Japan to invest in infrastructures and technology projects in the fishery sector.
“We came to Japan to follow up the cooperation plan in the fishery sector. The investment opportunity is wide open for Japan,” Susi said in a press release received by Tempo today, August 25.
According to Susi, Indonesia needs a robust technology to maintain and manage its fishery resources. “The goal is to maintain economic and political stability so that Indonesia can meet demands on food and prevent illegal fishing,” she said.
Read: Japan Helps Indonesia Develop Fishery Business Center
Minister Susi claimed that Indonesia has been successful in managing its fishery sector over the last few years. For the first time in history, Indonesia has managed to achieve the highest fishery trade balance in Southeast Asia.
The achievement is reflected by an 11-percent increase in fish productivity or 2 million tons this year. The domestic fish consumption accounts for 20 percent of the total figure.
“Indonesian fishermen can catch 80 kilograms of tuna within 1-4 miles,” Susi explained.
During a meeting with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono, Susi called on Japan to support the ocean right that allows a country to maintain bills on maritime affairs and fisheries protections even if the country is under different leaders.
Mr. Kono was impressed with the endeavors initiated by Indonesia to maintain its maritime and fishery resources. Mr. Kono said that the Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will work with Indonesia to kick off a study related to the Integrated Maritime and Fishery Center (SPKT) projects in six locations.
IMAM HAMDI
