You can check with the BKPM regarding the value of the investment."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A fishery director general said a number of neighboring countries have expressed interest in investing in the Indonesian fishery sector.

"There are neighboring countries which have expressed interest in the fish processing industry in the country," Nilanto Perbowo, the director general for reinforcement of the competitiveness of marine and fisheries products of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), said during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the National Fishery Day (Harkannas) here Saturday.

However, the director general did not mention the countries he meant but requested reporters to ask about with the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). The director general did not also reveal the value of the investment the neighboring countries planning to invest.

"You can check with the BKPM regarding the value of the investment," Nilanto said.

It was earlier reported that a number of provinces which have potential in the marine and fishery sector are now offering investment opportunities in the sector.

In the meantime, the Financial Service Authority (OJK) said banks had begun to have a positive perception of the sector.

"Banks are beginning to show strong interest in the marine and fishery sector," Bank Supervision Director of OJK Slamet Edi Purnomo told reporters Wednesday.

The non-performing loan (NPL) in the marine and fishery sector is only 2.1 percent lower than 2.7 per cent in the manufacturing sector, Slamet said.

In addition, stronger growth of 12.5 percent was recorded by the marine and fishery sector per year as against less than 10 percent recorded in the manufacturing sector, he said.

"Hopefully this would encourage all financial industries to provide financial support to the sector. We should be optimistic with the development of the sector," he said.

There should be no negative perception about it, he added.

He expressed appreciation for a number of banks such as BRI providing credits for business in the sector.

The marine and fishery ministry together with non-government organization Transformasi Kebijakan Publik have drafted a reference for Sustainable Fishery Financing in a bid to boost business in the fishery sector.

"Banks are with us. Currently, the fishery community could use financing sources nationally," Nilanto Perbowo said.

With the involvement of OJK, the fishery community has better access to financial sources and greater attention has been given to the sector, Nilanto said.

The ministry wants to help in facilitating financial support for companies operating in the sector to strengthen their competitiveness in the domestic and international markets, he said.

Cooperation with banks would help strengthen the competitiveness of the fishery industry, he added.

The Marine and Fishery Ministry KKP together with the Transformasi Kebijakan Publik have organized a series of discussions including with banks to formulate recommendations on sustainable financing of business in the fishery sector.

The fishery sector would need large financing, therefore, the private sector and banks need to be involved, senior adviser of Transformasi Kebijakan Publik Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said.

In May, 2015, the marine and fishery ministry, OJK, eight banks and two non-bank financial agencies launched what is called the Reach, Synergy and Guideline program to give the sector greater access to finances.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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