Da Nang, Vietnam (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his wish that the sea would become the economic development center for APEC members due to its geographical location in the Pacific Ocean as the largest ocean in the world.
Jokowi made the remarks, Saturday, while speaking at the retreat session II of the 25th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting themed "New Drivers for Regional Trade, Investment, and Connectivity at the Intercontinental Peninsula Resort, Da Nang.
"Our seas must be the center of economic development through marine infrastructure investments, marine-based economic activities, integration and security of marine transport networks, and the sustainable use of marine resources," the president disclosed. Jokowi also stated that Indonesia has encouraged the mainstreaming of maritime issues in APEC, including in fighting IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, overcoming plastic waste at sea, and developing marine and fisheries sectors.
"In the past three years, I have paid particular attention to speed up the construction of marine infrastructure in order to connect the islands of Indonesia, including 24 strategic ports," he explained. According to him, the sea motorway concept in Indonesia aims to establish connectivity of large and small ports to shorten the time for delivery.
"It will also increase the capacity of the port, connect disadvantaged regions and the outermost cutting edge, as well as lower the price disparity," the president revealed. To that end, Jokowi encouraged APEC investment in infrastructure and strengthening human resources to improve marine economic productivity.
Earlier, Jokowi urged the leaders of the APEC member countries to carry out three tasks, namely inclusive development, conclusion of "Bogor Goals," and exploitation of innovation and technology development. (WDY)
