"We continue to promote the Blue Economy concept, understanding that today and in the future, the marine and fisheries sectors have strategic roles in strengthening food security and driving Indonesia’s economy," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Sharif C. Soetardjo at the book launch Our Blue Economy at the APEC 2013 forum at the Ayodya Hotel’s Garden Beach on Saturday (5 October).
According to Mr Soetardjo, through the Blue Economy concept many employment opportunities can be created, transforming poverty to welfare, as well as shifting shortage to abundance. The economic potential of the marine sector, both in relation to natural resources and maritime services has reached up to US$ 1.2 trillion annually.
The economic growth rate is also very positive, based on the data of the National Statistics Agency (BPS) in the second quarter of 2013, the marine and fisheries sectors have grown by seven per cent compared to the same period in 2012.
The economic growth rate of the marine and fisheries sectors are higher compared to the national growth rate of 5.81 per cent.
