Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Accelerates K-SIGN in Rote Ndao to Boost Coastal Economy
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is continuing to accelerate the development of the National Salt Industry Centre Area (K-SIGN) in Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, as a new economic booster for coastal communities while supporting the national salt self-sufficiency target.
This acceleration is being realised through strengthened cross-sectoral coordination, particularly in discussions by the Integrated Team and the K-SIGN Land Acquisition Preparation Team held in Kupang on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
Director General of Marine Management, Koswara, emphasised that the K-SIGN project is a concrete step by the government to strengthen national salt industry independence. “The development of this area will not only increase production but also open up employment and business opportunities for coastal communities, especially in Rote Ndao,” he stated in an official release on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
He added that synergy between ministries/institutions and local governments is key to overcoming various field challenges, both technical and social. This activity is also an important part to ensure land acquisition readiness as the foundation for building an integrated salt industrial area from upstream to downstream.
Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, conveyed that the presence of K-SIGN will be a catalyst for regional economic growth. “This area has great potential to improve community welfare, expand employment opportunities, and drive supporting economic sectors in the region,” he said. He also stressed the importance of close collaboration between central and local governments, especially in resolving land acquisition and community readiness in affected locations.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Public Works and People’s Housing Office of NTT Province, Benyamin Nahak, emphasised that infrastructure support is a key factor in the area’s success. According to him, the availability of road access and water resource management will facilitate production mobility and improve salt distribution efficiency.
Secretary of the Directorate General of Marine Management, Miftahul Huda, added that planning and coordination aspects continue to be strengthened to ensure smooth processes. “We ensure that all stages run in an integrated manner and provide certainty for both the government and the community,” he stated.
In that forum, KKP also involved local government apparatus around the area, including sub-district heads and village heads in the Rote Timur, Pantai Baru, and Landu Leko regions. This involvement serves as a space for synergy to evaluate land acquisition progress, site data collection, and the preparation of location determination documents as the legal basis for area development.
The results of the discussions were documented in minutes signed by all participants as a joint commitment to ensure the process runs transparently, fairly, and provides direct impacts for the community, from job creation to the growth of a new economic centre in Rote Ndao.
Previously, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, emphasised that the development of K-SIGN is part of a strategic policy to strengthen national salt industry independence. In addition to reducing import dependency, this project is expected to create jobs, increase coastal community income, and sustainably drive the regional economy towards national salt self-sufficiency.