An easy scheme must be available for the fishermen to get capital, financing, marketing, and partnership supportJakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir emphasized his commitment to prioritizing the provision of business facilities to improve the welfare of Indonesian fishermen.
The minister in a statement here on Sunday noted that the priority facilities would include an affordable and adequate supply of fuel as well as business financing.
Thohir will ensure that the demand for fuel at fishing center areas is met properly.
"I have found out that 60-70 percent of the fishermen's operational costs is used to buy fuel,” he noted.
Hence, it is necessary to provide fuel stations or refueling services at every fishing center, the minister emphasized.
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The minister expressed belief that fishermen have a central role to play in the development of Indonesia in future to improve the country’s economy and food sovereignty.
Hence, he emphasized that the government remains committed to supporting the establishment of an advanced fishery business ecosystem since he believed that in future, sea will become the main source of food commodities.
"It requires Indonesian traditional fishermen to play a role. Hence, their business ecosystem must be improved, including access to fuel, financial provision, as well as the marketing attempt," he stressed.
Furthermore, speaking in connection with funding, Thohir stated that the state-owned bank association (Himbara) -- comprising PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), as well as PT Bank Mandiri -- had provided financing facilities and low-interest business loans for fishermen.
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Thohir expects that the funding facility can be utilized optimally by fishermen, especially in Muncar Sub-district, Banyuwangi District, which is one of the fishing centers in East Java Province.
He noted that in order to develop the area as a fishing center in the province, the fishery business ecosystem at Muncar Sub-district must encourage traditional fishermen to improve.
"An easy scheme must be available for fishermen to get capital, financing, marketing, and partnership support," he added.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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