This Is The Potential Of East Java That Khofifah Believes Could Be The Center For Indonesian Economic Gravity

Archives - Khofifah Indar Parawansa while serving as Governor of East Java inspected the new pier of Situbondo Anchor Feri Port a few years ago. (ANTARA/Novi H)

The great potential of the marine, fisheries, and other fishing products at the pier in East Java (East Java) is believed by the Governor of East Java 2019-2024 Khofifah Indar Parawansa to be the center of Indonesia's economic gravity.

Khofifah, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 18, explained that in East Java there are six major ports, namely Tanjung Perak Port, Lamong Bay Port, Tanjung Wangi Port, Banyuwangi Boom Port, Kaliangget Port, and Tanjung Tembaga Probolinggo Port.

"Increasing port capacity and services is very important because ports have a very vital role in supporting the smooth distribution of logistics from and to the East Java region as well as from and to various countries," he said in response to National Pier Day on the sidelines of performing the pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

As an East Indonesia Hub, Khofifah said that East Java has two piers that can transport goods, people, and large-scale trading activities.

"Tanjung Perak in the cities of Surabaya and Tanjung Tembaga in Probolinggo is a form of East Java's readiness to meet the inter-island market and increase economic activity," he said.

As a maritime country, he continued, Indonesia is known to have many ships anchored at the pier to carry out various economic and tourism activities.

Khofifah explained that the economic movement at Tanjung Perak Port is supported by Tanjung Tembaga Port which has great potential as an intercity and inter-island gateway to intensify economic activity from the marine sector.

"The international-scale Tanjung Perak and Tanjung Tembaga have strategic locations as gateways to their hinterland areas which include Probolinggo, Jember, Pasuruan, Situbondo and Lumajang," he said.

Khofifah is optimistic that in the future the Port of Probolinggo will be used as an international port because the port already has a certificate of statement to fulfill the security of port facilities issued by the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia based on the International Code for Security of Ships and Port Facilites (ISPS Code).

"The existence of a port in East Java will support and succeed in the concept of zoning marine transportation services in East Java. The zoning aims to prevent ship loading and unloading in Surabaya, reduce cost transport, grow new economic centers, and increase competitiveness in East Java," he said.

The East Java zone is divided into the north (Lamongan, Tuban, Bojonegoro, and its surroundings) served by Brondong, Paciran, and Lamongan Integrated Shorebase ports. Then the areas of Surabaya, Gresik and its surroundings are served by Tanjung Perak, Gresik, JIIPE, and Lamong Bay Port.

Then the Situbondo, Jember, Lumajang, Banyuwangi and surrounding areas are served by Tanjung Wangi Port and Banyuwangi Boom Port. For the Madura region and its islands are served by ports in the archipelago and Kaliangget Port.

"For the southern region of East Java, it is planned to build Pacitan, Prigi, and Sendang Biru Ports. Then the Probolinggo Port itself will serve the Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Lumajang, and surrounding areas. The existence of the port is not a competitor, but as a complement from Tanjung Perak Port," he said.

"Happy National Pier Day, hopefully the role of the dock in supporting all activities of the community's economic center can increase and provide the greatest benefit for the creation of the welfare of the people of East Java in particular," he concluded.