Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has reiterated her support for Indonesia’s tough policy forbidding foreign companies from investing in the local fishing business, even in the era of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
The fishing industry is included in the negative investment list, and the government will soon check the sources of investment received by business players in the industry to make sure that the rules are obeyed.
The strict measures on fishing are aimed at preserving biodiversity in Indonesian waters, Minister Pudjiastuti said.
She urged local fishermen to support the effort by avoiding the use of explosive, poisons and trawl-fishing.
The minister stressed that foreign investors are allowed to operate in Indonesia but only in the management of fisheries.
The Indonesian Government has supported foreign investment in management such as cold storage, fish-product manufacturing and other downstream maritime businesses.
Maritime and fisheries sector contributes nearly 9 percent to the Indonesian economy.-VNA