KKP: China Will Invest In The Hilirization Pilot Project Of Seaweed In Wakatobi

Director General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) KKP Budi Sulistiyo. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

BANDUNG - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) plans to facilitate investment in downstream seaweed in a pilot project (Modelling) in the Wakatobi area, Southeast Sulawesi.

The Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) KKP Budi Sulistiyo said that there was an interest in China in investing in the project.

"The investors just expressed their interest, yes. In this process, it is like China," Budi told reporters in Bandung, West Java, Wednesday, October 11.

Budi said not only China had expressed interest in investing, but there were investors from within the country as well.

"Investors from within the country also expressed their interest. Some of them are from Surabaya, Makassar, and Kendari. Only if the name is not yet possible, I (state it)," he said.

Even so, Budi has not been able to explain further the investment value of these investors. "If the investment value, (China) is currently in search," he said.

Furthermore, said Budi, if the seaweed downstream pilot project in Wakatobi is completed as a whole, it is targeted that there will be an economic turnover of more than Rp. 20 billion.

"Yes, the project plan is 500 hectares (ha), and once harvest 1 ha can produce 4 tons. So, the economic turnover can be around Rp. 20 billion or more than that. The economic value is from improvement to sale to industry," he said.

For your information, Wakatobi Regency is said to be one of the most potential seaweed-producing areas in Southeast Sulawesi.

As an illustration, in 2022, the production of dried seaweed in the area will reach 3,951 tons.

The potential for available land is 5,236 ha and is spread over the islands of Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, and Tomia.

Thus, KKP provides support for seaweed business modeling by integrating the ecosystem from upstream to downstream in the area.

Downstreaming starts from good post-harvest handling, modernization of drying, packaging, trading arrangements, to the provision of other supporting facilities and infrastructure.

From these activities, it is hoped that later it will produce dried seaweed according to industry standard raw materials.

"Indonesia can become a reliable world seaweed player, therefore synergy between stakeholders is needed to move and progress together," said Director General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) Budi Sulistiyo in a written statement, Thursday, July 20.