Minister Mulls Establishing Sea Connectivity of Maluku-Australia
8 May 2017 10:08 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi plans to establish sea connectivity between Indonesia’s Maluku and Australia to boost the fishery industry. Budi Karya said that he will choose between the cities of Saumlaki and Tual in Maluku that will be connected to Darwin in Australia.
“[I have plans to establish the sea connectivity] because if the fish here have to first be transported to Surabaya, they will no longer be fresh; we will make an assessment,” Budi said in a press statement yesterday.
He said that the ministry will refer the issue to a limited meeting with President Jokowi. He added that both north and south Maluku are home to fishing centers. If the plan materializes, the fishing centers will be able to export fish.
Moreover, Minister Budi will encourage private firms to help develop Tual port in cooperation with the government to avoid heavy reliance on the state budget (APBD).
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