Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has set aside Rp212 billion to improve the welfare of fishermen through several empowerment programs, a minister said.

"On national scale we have prepared a fund of Rp212 billion for fishermen welfare improvement programs," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said here on Monday.

The minister said that the Rp212 billion funds accounted for 33 percent of the total budget for the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry.

He said that the improvement programs included housing for fishermen, villagers` fish pond empowerment, fishermen`s groups improvement and procurement of boats for fishermen through regional governments.

The minister said the budget for the improvement of fishermen`s welfare continued to increase every year.

The ministry would propose a budget of Rp1.2 trillion especially for improving the welfare of fishermen in 2012, he said.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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