West Kalimantan Provincial Government Positions Arowana Fish as a Leading Export Commodity

Pontianak - The Governor of West Kalimantan, Ria Norsan, has emphasised the local government’s commitment to developing the arowana fish, or siluk, as an icon of the creative economy and a leading export commodity. “The siluk or arowana from West Kalimantan possesses the best quality in the world. The government must be present to ensure that breeders are not hindered by convoluted bureaucracy. We want the export of West Kalimantan siluk to accelerate to foreign countries,” said Ria Norsan while receiving a delegation from the Association of Arowana Breeders and Traders (APPS) in Pontianak on Thursday. According to Norsan, the siluk fish, widely known as arowana, is not merely a hobby but has become a high-value investment sector with the potential to absorb labour and elevate the region’s name on the international stage. She highlighted ongoing challenges in regulatory aspects, particularly regarding certification and transport permitting processes. To this end, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government will coordinate with vertical agencies to streamline administrative procedures for greater speed and efficiency. Norsan also encouraged collaborative research to preserve the genetic purity of local arowana, ensuring it retains high market value and competitiveness in the global market. “We are providing special attention to siluk business actors, including promoting research and quality enhancement so that West Kalimantan arowana remains the world’s favourite,” she stated. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Association of Arowana Breeders and Traders, Erik Hikmatul Basyir, welcomed the local government’s support positively. He assessed that the governor’s direct attention serves as a crucial boost for business actors in facing global market competition. During the meeting, APPS also outlined plans to organise the APPS Arowana Contest 2026, which will compete for the Governor of West Kalimantan’s Grand Champion Cup. According to Erik, the support for using the Governor’s Cup in the event will provide a unique attraction while strengthening West Kalimantan’s image through activities on a national to international scale. “We are very grateful for this support. The 2026 Arowana Contest is expected to strengthen West Kalimantan’s position as the world’s arowana centre,” he said.