50,000 Ships Crossing Malacca Strait Every Year, Batam Don't Just Be The Spectators

TRIBUNBATAM.id - Secretary of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Republic Indonesia (Sesmenko Ekonomi) Susiwijono Moegiarso expressed his optimism about the operation of Ship to Ship Floating Storage Unit (STS FSU) in Batam free trade area that could increase the potential of state revenue and had never been done in Indonesia.

This was revealed by Minister of Economy when opening official Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Floating Storage Unit (FSU) in Batam Port and Free Trade Area, Friday (01/24/2020) at Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta.

Susiwijono was optimistic, because this was reinforced by Batam's position as Free Trade Zone (FTZ) with status of region outside the first customs that carried out STS FSU activities.

"Actually we have discussed this FSU for quite a long time. Because it is very unfortunate if we miss this economic activity. With the operation of Ship to Ship Floating Storage Unit (STS FSU), I am sure that the acceleration of Batam economic growth can be maximized, "said Susiwijono.

However Susiwijono acknowledged, that STS FSU had to clarify regulations to regulate its business processes.

He hoped that through this FGD, all relevant stakeholders could develop regulations relating to STS SFU and be in line with conditions on the ground.

• Throughout 2019, Foreign Investment in Batam Reaches 359 Million US Dollars

"We must take advantage of potential for FSU, because our neighboring countries have used it first. We must not be more strategic in being just spectators, "said Susiwijono.

In his remarks, Susiwijono expressed his appreciation to BP Batam for the implementation of this FGD as a commitment to optimizing Batam's maritime opportunities and locations which were considered very strategic.

It is known that there are currently more than 50,000 ships crossing Malacca Strait every year.

Also, the second largest choke point in the world with traffic volume of 16 million barrels oil and 3 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) per day.

He said, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Republic Indonesia would harmonize the policies that had been prepared and if in the process found obstacles, later his party would openly discuss for searchs solution together with Coordinating Minister for Economy.

In line with Minister of Economic Affairs, Deputy Head of BP Batam Purwiyanto also confirmed the economic optimization and competitiveness of Batam and its surroundings through FSU FGD.

"The smooth implementation of STS FSU is highly dependent on positive synergy between related stakeholders, both the government and the private sector," Purwiyanto said.

"Our expected output is certainly in the form of support, in this case policy. Mainly, BP Batam took the opportunity at this FGD to get input, exchange minds and ideas to support the improvement of investment climate for STS FSU implementation in Batam waters which will be carried out later, "Purwiyanto said.

Purwiyanto added, BP Batam would compile the results of this meeting and report directly to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Republic Indonesia as a follow up to this FGD activity.