"Measures to attract investment and implement certain economic programs will be taken through the Integrated Maritime and Fisheries Centers in fifteen small islands and border areas," the Minister of Maritime and Fishery, Susi Pudjiastuti, said here on Monday.
The fifteen locations are Simeulue (Aceh), Natuna (Riau Islands), Mentawai (West Sumatra), Nunukan (North Kalimantan), Tahuna and Sangihe (Sulawesi Utara), Morotai (North Maluku), Rote Ndao (East Nusa Tenggara), Moa, Tual and Saumlaki (Maluku), Biak Numfor, Sarmi, Timik and Merauke (Papua).
She added various promotional activities will be taken up to attract businesses and convince them to invest in the small islands and along border areas.
She also invited Russian fishery business sector players to invest in Indonesia, such as for building a fish processing center in Indonesias eastern region.
"I am committed to improve the national fish exports quality. We permit foreign ownership to the extent of hundred percent while earlier only a minority stake was allowed," Susi Pudjiastuti had stressed during her trip with President Joko Widodo to attend the ASEAN-Russia Summit 2016 in Sochi, Russia, some time back.
The minister hoped that Russia would build a fish processing center in the eastern region to improve the fish export quality.
"Sixty percent of the worlds tuna products come from Indonesia. Advanced facilities will make our fish products fresher and better," she noted.
She added that no foreign country can set up a fishing company in Indonesia but they could build a fish processing company with a hundred percent ownership.
Susi has been appointed as Indonesias special envoy to Russia in order to facilitate Russias government and businesses to invest in the country.
The Working Group on Trade, Investment and Industry (WGTII) of Indonesia and Russia, which meets annually under the framework of the Joint Commission Meeting between Indonesia and Russia, had last met on May 2, 2016.
The cooperation between the two countries included the development of central power plants, as well as in marine radar technology for security patrol in the territorial waters of Indonesia.
In addition, Russia will provide ships and aircraft for marine patrolling and commercial purposes, and is ready to invest in the fifteen Integrated Maritime and Fisheries Centers.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
