Indonesia's Maritime Development Should Be Sustainable: Minister

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo's vision of developing Indonesia into a global maritime axis should be implemented sustainably in a bid to rekindle the country's former maritime glory, stated State Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnandi.  

"We must work on maritime and marine issues with a sustainable momentum by developing a strong foundation, so that Indonesia can become a global maritime axis," Yuddy remarked here on Monday.

The minister delivered a speech on the commemoration of World Marine Day in the Fisheries and Marine Ministry, Jakarta.

Yuddy stated that Indonesia enjoys a strategic position, and in the past, it has played an important role in the international trade channel.

"It means that we already have a heritage that should be defended and utilized to achieve high economic value," Yuddy emphasized.

The minister remarked that the global economic and political situations have significantly shifted from the US-Europe to the Asia-Pacific region.

The changes in the political and economic situations have given Indonesia a new potential opportunity to promote global economic development, considering its economic and maritime interests.

"We should safeguard our maritime potential. This effort is in line with the Nawa Cita program that the country should undertake to create independency, increase competitiveness, and uphold unity," Yuddy remarked.

The minister stated that maritime development could provide economic potential that has high value.

Additionally, the Marine and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti affirmed that her institution has formulated a basic concept and strong policy to develop a sustainable maritime sector for the next minister.

"I am ready to be the front guard to achieve a sustainable fishery sector," Susi emphasized.

Susi said the implementation of a strong platform and policy will obviously lead to the creation of a steady fishery sector.

Through the implementation of the policy, the next marine and fishery minister will have an easier task, as the related parties in the maritime sector have comprehended the sustainable program, Susi added. (WDY)