Indonesia holds huge blue economic potential: minister

Indonesia wields enormous blue economic potential since the country's seas are home to almost 60% of the world's coral reefs and store abundant gas and fishery resources, said Indonesian Minister of National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa.
Indonesia holds huge blue economic potential: minister ảnh 1Tourists spend their holiday off Bali Island of Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia wields enormousblue economic potential since the country's seas are home to almost 60% of theworld's coral reefs and store abundant gas and fishery resources, saidIndonesian Minister of National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa.

About 56 - 58% of the world'scoral reefs are in Indonesia, most of which can be found in Raja Ampat (WestPapua province) and Sawu Sea (East Nusa Tenggara province), he told theIndonesia Development Forum 2023 on December 18.

He emphasised that seas constitute priceless assets of thearchipelago nation, considering that they store abundant amounts of natural gasas well as wealth of fishery resources.

The official cited a study in 2020 as saying thatIndonesia's enormous blue economy potential is also reflected in the country'spotential value of marine and fishery sectors reaching 1.3 trillion USD peryear.

The blue economy is expected to create around 12 million new job opportunitiesby 2030, provide 40 times more renewable energy by 2050, and increasemarine-based food supply by six folds by 2050, Monoarfsa pointed out, adding the potential benefits gained from investment inthe blue economy are expected to hit 15.5 trillion USD by 2050.

The minister expressed his belief that by optimisingits large blue economy potential, Indonesia would yield economic benefits whileensuring protection for biodiversity and significantly lowering greenhouse gasemissions./.
VNA

See more

Malaysia targets 32% renewable energy capacity

Malaysia targets 32% renewable energy capacity

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, said the country had achieved 31% installed RE capacity as of December 2025.

Deputy foreign ministers and senior officials of the 11 ASEAN member states and Russia pose for a group photo. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

ASEAN, Russia prepare for 35th anniversary summit

Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that ASEAN views Russia as one of its key partners contributing to regional peace, stability and development. He proposed enhancing high-level strategic exchanges, strengthening cooperation in priority areas such as cybersecurity, including the effective implementation of the Hanoi Convention, and expanding collaboration within ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Thailand ready to share experience with Vietnam in green urban development: officials

Thailand ready to share experience with Vietnam in green urban development: officials

Thailand is ready to share its experience and successful models in green urban development with Vietnam, as the two countries share many similar characteristics, including rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, flooding, canal networks and growing demand for greener public spaces, Thai officials have said in recent interviews with the Vietnam News Agency.

KKP cuts GDP forecast, warns Thailand faces recession risk. (Photo: The Nation)

Thailand’s economy may face recession risk

In its latest report, KKP Research noted that Thailand’s vulnerability goes beyond its reliance on imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East could also worsen shortages of fertilisers, affecting agricultural output, as well as petrochemical feedstocks, which would impact the plastics and textile industries.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks before Thai Parliament in Bangkok. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand plans tighter, targeted fiscal 2027 budget

Thailand's fiscal 2027 budget is projected at around 3.78 trillion THB (nearly 118 billion USD), a 2% increase from the previous year, with a focus on targeted spending and cutting unnecessary expenses, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Fitch downgrades Philippines’ outlook to ‘negative’. (Illustrative photo: Reuters)

Fitch downgrades Philippines’ outlook to ‘negative’

The Outlook revision reflects rising risks to the Philippines' strong medium-term growth prospects from recent disruptions to public investment, exacerbated in the near-term by elevated exposure to the ongoing global energy shock.

The Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap is aimed at advancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability. (Photo: businesstimes.com.sg)

Singapore unveils new roadmap to boost innovation in maritime sector

The Singapore Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap is aimed at advancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability. It highlights priorities – including digital technologies, decarbonisation and operational integration – to boost resilience, productivity and innovation in Singapore’s maritime ecosystem. It also addresses structural issues such as manpower, land and sea space limitations.

Malaysia considers establishing strategic petroleum reserve

Malaysia considers establishing strategic petroleum reserve

Malaysia, which was previously a net exporter, has now become a net importer due to declining domestic production and rising consumption, with demand estimated at around 800,000 barrels per day compared to production of about 400,000 barrels per day.