Ajman: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government will make massive investments in the marine economy or blue economy in line with the increasing global demand for animal-derived protein. In a statement from the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom), the president highlighted Indonesia's enormous marine wealth; therefore, this wealth needs to be optimized for the welfare of the people.
According to Emirates News Agency, the president emphasized the urgent need to capitalize on fisheries and maritime sectors, given the global demand for animal protein, including fish. President Prabowo made these remarks during his visit to the Red and White Fishermen's Village (KNMP) in South Leato, Gorontalo, where he outlined the government's ambitious plans.
Prabowo said investment in the blue economy must begin by strengthening the role of fishermen in the national fisheries sector. These efforts include the Red and White Fishermen's Village (KNMP) programme, which is expected to expand fishermen's access to adequate fishing facilities and infrastructure.
He detailed the government's target to establish 1,386 KNMPs across Indonesia this year, with plans to build an additional 1,000 fishing villages annually. "And next year, we will build another 1,000 (KNMPs), and so on, every year until we have 12,000 fishing villages across Indonesia. This is a huge undertaking," said President Prabowo as quoted by Indonesian News Agency (ANTARA).
In addition, he also stated that the government will distribute 1,582 fishing vessels to Indonesian fishermen, with the management scheme being handed over to fishermen's cooperatives. "We will provide ships, some small, some medium, and some large. We don't want the fish in our seas to be taken by foreign vessels. We want our fishermen to utilize them," said the president.
