The maritime axis concept initiated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was presented before Hamburg’s senators for the economy, 100 members of Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Germany-Asia Pacific, at a seminar titled “Indonesian Economic Updates on Maritime Issues” held by the Indonesian Consulate General in Hamburg on Monday, June 1, 2015.
“This is a part of the mandate that must be executed by diplomats overseas, which covers maritime cooperation improvement, economic diplomacy and protection for Indonesian citizens,” Sylvia Arifin, Indonesian Consul-General for Hamburg, said on Monday, June 1, 2015.
At the forum, speakers from the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, the Investment Coordinating Board and state-owned port operator PT Pelindo II explained the details of the maritime axis sea toll and business opportunities for German businessmen. The Indonesian representatives described the investment advantages and offered tax incentives.
The World Bank’s Office and multinational management consulting company McKinsey also supported the government’s program and presented data on economic research in Indonesia. The Germany-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also explicated investment procedures in Indonesia.
Ridwan Djamaluddin, the deputy of infrastructure at the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, explained that Indonesian economy had always been centralized in Western Indonesia. Therefore, he said, the government had planned to balance the economic development by accelerating infrastructure development in the eastern parts of the country, by executing the sea toll program.
In executing the program, Ridwan added, the Indonesian government would revitalize ports and harbors across Indonesia and amend regulations that were hampering investments in a bid to connect and integrate harbors nationwide.
TEMPO