I encourage the local government and people of Papua to rise and work hard to develop their potential and prioritize the sustainability of nature for the subsequent generations in futureSorong, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan encouraged the local governments and community of Papua and West Papua to lower investment in palm plantations.
"Investment in palm plantations usually only belongs to foreign investors and not necessarily profitable for the local people," Minister Panjaitan stated here on Thursday.
He expounded that the government had currently enacted a moratorium on palm plantations to halt logging in the forests of Papua and West Papua.
Moreover, Panjaitan encouraged the Papuan local government to not only direct its attention on big investments, particularly if it is damaging the forest, but also concentrate on small investments that are beneficial for the community and are environment-friendly.
He also highlighted the fact that Papua and West Papua had varied agricultural commodities, including nutmeg, cocoa, coffee, and seaweed, that could be developed by the community to boost local economic growth.
To this end, he called for governments of the two provinces to make all-out efforts and to collaborate with stakeholders from all sectors to develop the local economic potentials.
Panjaitan stressed on the need for the local governments of Papua and West Papua to improve the quality of education by prioritizing specialized education in the agricultural and fisheries sectors to realize the sustainable development of natural resources.
"I encourage the local government and people of Papua to rise and work hard to develop their potential and prioritize the sustainability of nature for the subsequent generations in future," he added.
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Reporter: Ernes Broning Kakisina, Yuni A
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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