President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants to turn his country into a global maritime axis. He urged the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister to immediately work on a “simple but implementable” maritime policy.
According to the president, Indonesia should focus its efforts on the maritime industry, which has immense potential to stimulate the country's economy.
"We believe that our future is in the sea," Jokowi said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung has said the government is set to establish a maritime policy as a reference for Indonesia’s maritime development. The policy is targeted to be completed in July.
Turning Indonesia into a global maritime shaft is a strategic idea that will ensure inter-island connectivity, says Indonesias Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.
The Minister said that this will lead to growth in the fisheries sector and an improvement in the means of water transportation besides underlining the importance of maritime security.
Earlier, Jokowi said the maritime development policy should be able to consolidate existing maritime development programs, saying the policy would serve as a guideline for maritime development in the country.
"Indonesia, with 70 percent of its area being maritime territory, has only [managed to derive] less than 30 percent of the national GDP from the maritime sector," the president said. He added that Indonesia's maritime sector has the potential of yielding up to $1.2 trillion annually.