Minister Susi Offers Vietnam to Invest on Natuna Fishery Sector

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Indonesia's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti had a bilateral meeting with the Vietnamese government represented by  Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vu Van Tam.

In the meeting, Minister Susi offered Vietnamese government to invest in Indonesia’s fisheries sector, particularly in Natuna.

The meeting took place at Ministry’s Research and Training Ship MV Madiding 03 which sailed from Lampa to Ranai Strait, Natuna waters.

As a follow up, director general for reinforcement of marine and fisheries products competitiveness (PDSPKP)will immediately send policy document concerning fishery investment in Indonesia through the Vietnamese Embassy in Jakarta.

"In addition, the director general will also immediately send invitation to Vietnamese Government for business forum which is held monthly at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries’ office," Susi said in a written statement received on Monday (8/22).

The meeting also recommended that Task Force 115 to assess repatriation option of Vietnamese ship crew to Vietnamese patrol boats by PDSPKP Patrol Boat in Vietnam-Indonesia border.

Earlier on 21 August 2016, Minister Susi set targets of the development of the Integrated Center for Maritime and Fisheries (SKPT) in 15 locations of the outer islands and border areas. This policy is taken to realize the vision and mission of President Joko Widodo, that is to make Indonesia as a global maritime axis

According to her, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry continues to pursue the completion of SKPT construction at 10 locations this year, including in Natuna regency which is centered in Lampa Straits. "Indonesia is very strategic since it is crossed by four oceans, and Natuna lies in an incredibly important point," she Susi.

She continued that not only promising in the the fisheries sector, Natuna is also a potential point for Indonesia to become the world's maritime axis. 

"We must maintain our nation’s sovereignty and marine and fisheries resources," she said. (Translator: Siti Chodijah)