The Riau governor welcomed the president and his entourage.
Chairman of the Presidential Communication Team Ari Dwipayana noted in a press release that it was President Widodos first working visit to Natuna Regency, located off the coast of the South China Sea.
President Widodo will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the development of various areas of economic potential in Natuna as it shares its borders with a few other countries and is a national strategic area.
Countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, directly share their borders with the regency.
Apart from serving as a border, Indonesias main shipping lane to Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea also passes through Natunas maritime territory.
The utilization of Natunas potentials needs to be prioritized in line with President Widodos vision to transform Indonesia into a global maritime axis.
As an archipelagic nation, the development of the maritime, fisheries, and tourism sectors in Natuna is hoped to improve the welfare of the people, especially those residing in the regency.
The president is also holding a meeting in Natuna to review the condition of the regency. The head of state will then determine the development schemes accordingly.
President Widodo had earlier held several closed-door meetings at designated locations. In January, he had held a meeting regarding the maintenance of Borobudur Temple at the Temple complex in Jogjakarta. Another meeting was held in North Sumatra in March to discuss the development of Danau Toba as a tourist attraction.
On several occasions, the president has stated that every Indonesian area bordering other countries should have adequate posts. Moreover, suitable marketplaces should also be present.
The president also prioritized the need for well-developed infrastructure in each area.
"We need to demonstrate that Indonesia is a prominent nation. Building sturdy infrastructure shows our pride and nationalism towards the country. We have to be able to display our windows and our cover properly, so when people from overseas visit Indonesia, they would be left in awe," the president stated during a visit to West Kalimantan in March.
During his visit to Natuna, the president is also being accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said, Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of Military Gatot Nurmantyo, and National Development Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
