Jakarta, Nov 6 (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is still facing several challenges to achieve its vision as a global maritime axis, Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Lieutenant General (ret) Agus Widjojo said here on Tuesday.

One of the challenges is related to geography, in which Indonesia has island provinces surrounded by sea, and the need for connecting areas, he stated.

"At least eight Indonesian provinces border the sea. They are Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Maluku. The development of the maritime sector is badly needed in the eight provinces," he noted.

The other challenge that Indonesia has to face to become a global maritime axis is regarding maritime infrastructure covering maritime manufacture industry and national shipping industry, he remarked.

"The improvement of maritime manufacture industry in a number of areas, such as distribution and national dockyard industry, remains a challenge," he remarked.

Indonesia should also pay attention to several important aspects related to maritime resilience, including regulations, policies, budget support, and maritime infrastructure, which need to be improved to anticipate and dynamics and rising threats in the maritime territories, he revealed.

"To become a maritime state, Indonesia must be able to manage and utilize its marine wealth and space, including understanding the various types of seas in Indonesia with their resources," he explained.

Indonesia must also follow and respect international maritime rules in an effort to combat illegal practices and legal violations in the country`s waters, he added.

Indonesia must also be able to manage its maritime borders with neighboring countries, maintain joint security, and ensure safe shipment through and in the Indonesian waters, he pointed out.

(s012/INE)

Reporting by Yuni Arisandy
Editing by Suharto, E;liswan Azly

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
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