Director General of Marine and Fisheries at the Ministry of\nInvestment and Downstream Industry Muhammad Faisal said here on Monday\n(September 28) that the zone is primed to become the backbone of the\nprovince\u2019s fisheries sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope the Sorong SEZ can serve as a prime location for the seafood\nprocessing industry,\u201d Faisal stated during a visit by Committee II of\nthe Regional Representatives Council (DPD) to the Southwest Papua\nGovernor\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
He noted that a preliminary study on developing a tuna processing\nindustry within the SEZ has already been conducted. However, the\nfindings revealed that foundational upgrades are necessary before\nlarge-scale operations can begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the feasibility study, inadequate supporting infrastructure\nand distribution networks are the primary areas that need\nstrengthening,\u201d Faisal explained.<\/p>\n
Developing the fish processing industry is a core component of\nIndonesia\u2019s broader downstreaming policy \u2014 an economic strategy aimed at\nprocessing raw natural resources domestically to multiply their export\nvalue.<\/p>\n
Under this model, commodities such as tuna, skipjack, and mackerel\nwould be processed locally into high-value derivative products like fish\nmeal, fish oil, gelatin, and collagen, rather than being exported as raw\ncatch.<\/p>\n
A localized fish oil industry, for instance, would not only serve\ninternational markets but also address domestic public health needs by\nproviding affordable nutritional supplements for children in the\nprovince, he added.<\/p>\n
Despite the vast potential, Faisal acknowledged several significant\nhurdles to modernizing the sector. High investment costs, logistical\nchallenges, underdeveloped infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled\nlabor have slowed progress.<\/p>\n
Additionally, conservative lending by banks \u2014 which often view the\nfisheries sector as high-risk \u2014 has restricted financing access for\nlocal businesses. To build a sustainable industrial ecosystem, Faisal\nemphasized the critical need to develop local talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the focus is on fisheries, we must establish vocational schools\nspecializing in this field so we do not have to rely on a workforce from\nother provinces,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Beyond creating jobs and stimulating the regional economy, expanding\nthe fisheries sector is expected to help decentralize investment in\nSouthwest Papua. Over the past few years, capital inflows have been\nheavily concentrated within Sorong City and Sorong District.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to stimulate growth not only in Sorong City and Sorong\nDistrict but also across other districts through the mining, plantation,\nand fisheries sectors,\u201d Faisal concluded.<\/p>\n
Related news: Government expects Southwest Papua\u2019s Sorong SEZ to\nempower people<\/p>\n
Related news: VP optimistic about Southwest Papua expediting SEZ\nrevitalization<\/p>\n
Related news: Southwest Papua seeks to draw investment in SEZ<\/p>\n
Translator: Yuvensius Banafanu, Uyu Liman<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-aims-to-develop-sorong-economic-zone-into-fishery-processing-hub-1790668280", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }