Speaking at the 2nd Edition Marine Spatial Planning and Services Expo 2023, he highlighted Indonesia's ambition to emerge as a high-income country by 2045. The country is also committed to becoming the world's center of maritime civilization, he added.
"Realizing the vision is not an easy task. We should boost our (economic) growth rate to reach about 6 percent, exceeding today's approximately 5 percent. Tapping into our potential in the maritime sector is the key," he emphasized.
The minister observed that not all Indonesians are fully aware of their country's enormous potential in the maritime sector.
In fact, he pointed out, Indonesia is a maritime nation that has been fighting tenaciously for its maritime interests through diplomatic channels, as evidenced by its involvement in the formulation of the Djuanda Declaration in 1957 as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982.
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In order to showcase and affirm Indonesia's maritime identity, the government has started making adjustments to development strategies and national spatial planning by taking the country's geographical characteristics into account, Minister Pandjaitan added.
He said that the government has provided the country with a foundation in the form of the Integrated National Spatial Planning and the 2025–2045 National Long-Term Development Plan.
"It is time to optimize our maritime resources for the sake of ensuring prosperity, sustainability, and sovereignty in the hopes of realizing our vision of becoming the world's center of maritime civilization," he added.
Furthermore, he said that Indonesia should also optimize its maritime resources to emerge as an important axis of the world's shipping, telecommunications, and marine clean energy in order to solidify its position as a strong maritime country.
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Translator: Ade I, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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