Coordinating Ministry For Maritime Affairs And Fisheries: Downstreaming Industry Is Carried Out To Realize A Strong Maritime Country

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) has made economic transformation through downstream industry as an indicator in an effort to realize Indonesia as a strong maritime country.

"Hiliration can increase the production and added value of goods and services," said Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs Jodi Mahardi, quoted from Antara, Monday, September 25.

According to Jodi, downstream policy encourages industrialization based on high value commodities towards a more complex economic structure.

In addition, he assessed that industrial downstreaming would also encourage a more equitable increase in investment.

Jodi gave an example, throughout 2020 the export of nickel and derivative goods worth USD 4.73 billion, up from 2019 which was only USD 2.59 billion.

Exports increased again in 2021 by 7.08 billion US dollars and the January-August 2022 period had reached 8.7 billion US dollars.

This is a picture that downstreaming increases Indonesia's economic resilience.

According to him, the second indicator, to realize Indonesia as a strong maritime country is the realization of clean, healthy and productive Indonesian waters.

Based on the score of the Indonesian Sea Health Index (IKLI), the condition of Indonesian waters has improved in the last three years. In 2020 the IKLI score reached 73.44, then it was at 73.06 in 2022, and rose again in 2022 to 75.65.

"The IKLI data can be presented at the international level as a performance of the marine sector in Indonesia," said Jodi.

Another indicator, according to Jodi, is creating innovative and character maritime human resources.

Through the Month of Maritime Literacy (BLM) program, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries takes a role in expanding maritime literacy for the younger generation.

Activities that have been held regularly in the last two years contain various activities that young people can participate in to gain wider knowledge related to maritime affairs.

Jodi explained that the last indicator is to realize Indonesia as a superior maritime nation. He gave an example of holding the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) High Level Conference (KTT) for the Forum in Bali on October 11, becoming Indonesia's commitment to becoming a superior maritime nation.

"AIS Forum was also formed to strengthen Indonesia's leadership in international forums," said Jodi.