Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives Viva Yoga Mauladi noted in a written statement here on Thursday that he had appealed to parties concerned to lift the ban on coral and anemone shipments for increasing the export value.
The appeal was made by the Commission to the Security, Quality Control, and Fish Quarantine Agency (BKIPM) for Depansar, Bali, offices. The aim of lifting the ban was to help improve the people`s welfare in that sector.
The appeal was part of the conclusions read out by Mauladi while chairing a joint meeting between Commission IV and several ministries at the Parliament building in Jakarta on Tuesday (Sept 25).
He explained that the ban by the BKIPM was one of the coral export requirements that was open to multiple interpretations.
Mauladi, a politician of the National Mandate Party, warned that if the exports of coral or ornamental coralis shut down, some 12 thousand workers will be laid off.
In addition, he remarked that income of some Rp150 billion could be potentially derived from these commodities.
He revealed that following the publication of the letter on the ban, coral and anemone commodities were rejected and shipments were confiscated, both from natural and cultivated products.
Hence, he noted that in a short period of time, the letter of prohibition had created a shock wave that threatened the efficiency of coral companies in the country that could potentially reduce foreign exchange earnings.
Director General of Aquaculture of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Slamet Soebjakto had earlier stated that the KKP`s regulations did not hamper the exports of fishery commodities, including in the outermost areas, such as Natuna.
"Throughout this year, based on our observation, export activities, especially in the Natuna Islands, are still stable. Exports that have recently been carried out in Natuna indicate that export intensity is normal," Soebjakto noted.
Moreover, Soebjakto remarked that Natuna, located in Riau Islands, is a national grouper cultivation center and geographically close to market access in Hong Kong and China.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman
Editing by Andi Abdussalam, Otniel
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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