Agriculture ministry works to boost fishery exports<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Agriculture plans to develop
\nmarine aquaculture in line with a massive fishery development
\nprogram aimed at bolstering exports to US$10.19 billion by 2003,
\ncompared to $2.04 billion in 1998.<\/p>\n
Called PROTEKAN-2003, the integrated program will help
\nfishermen increase production through training and easier access
\nto financial assistance.<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture Soleh Solahuddin, who kicked off the
\nprogram, said there were great opportunities for expanding
\nproduction since only 41 percent of fresh water fish resources
\nand 0.31 percent of marine fish resources have so far been
\ntapped.<\/p>\n
\"The government expects to generate $2.93 billion in export
\nearnings from sea fisheries and $7.26 from inland and marine
\naquaculture,\" Soleh said.<\/p>\n
According to Soleh, the program will accelerate the
\ndevelopment of fishery industries by providing low-interest loans
\nfor fishermen and businesses, easing the regulations on imports
\nof fishing vessels, expediting the licensing of sea fishing
\noperations and enhancing fishermen's productivity through
\ntraining programs.<\/p>\n
Director General of Fisheries Untung Wahyono said the program
\nwould require Rp 34.64 trillion ($4.67 billion) in financing, of
\nwhich Rp 30 trillion would come from bank loans and the fisheries
\nindustry and the remainder from the state budget.<\/p>\n
He said PROTEKAN-2003 had proposed financial loans for
\nfishermen amounting to Rp 2.2 trillion with a 10.5 percent
\ninterest rate.<\/p>\n
But only Rp 1.8 billion has so far been approved, for 33
\nvillage cooperatives in 10 provinces, Untung said.<\/p>\n
He said the government would work harder to crack down on
\nillegal fishing by foreign fishermen and illegal exports.<\/p>\n
\"Foreign fishermen will no longer be allowed to fish in our
\nwaters starting next year except in cooperation with domestic
\ncompanies,\" Untung said during the opening of a two-day seminar
\non marine culture and a fisheries exhibition at the Bidakara
\nbuilding.<\/p>\n
At the opening ceremony, the minister presented awards to 10
\ncompanies that had met market standards for the quality of their
\nfish and fish-related products.<\/p>\n
He said that imports of fishing vessels had been eased but the
\nimport of wooden fishing boats was still prohibited, to protect
\ntraditional fishermen.<\/p>\n
Untung said fishermen and businesses could now get their
\nfishing and export permits within 16 days to three weeks,
\ncompared to more than a month previously.<\/p>\n
He said marine aquaculture under the 2003 project focused on
\nseaweed cultivation and carp and pearl farming.<\/p>\n
According to Unting, exports of fish and fish products are
\nexpected to reach 800,000 metric tons, worth $2.13 billion, this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Last year, foreign exchange earnings from fishery exports
\nincreased by 7.3 percent to $2.04 billion from $1.9 billion in
\n1997.<\/p>\n
Indonesia exported most of its fishery products to the United
\nStates, European countries, Japan and China. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/agriculture-ministry-works-to-boost-fishery-exports-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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