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TRIBUNBATAM.id - In the midst of Corona virus outbreak, Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo released 53 tons of dried seaweed exports from Batam, Riau Islands to China.
The export release of more than IDR 159 million had no problems, even though Corona virus or Covid-19 was engulfing several regions in this Bamboo Curtain country.
"Alhamdulillah, there is no difficulty and exports continue to run, despite the tumultuous outbreak of this deadly virus," Edhy said during the release of exports in Batam Air Bay, Wednesday (3/4/2020).
This dried seaweed that is exported is the product of PT Kencana Bumi Sukses.
In one month, the company can produce 200 tons of dried seaweed.
Wahyudi's company is also active in sending seaweed to China, Vietnam and Singapore.
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In fact, throughout 2019, total exports reached 1,371 tons with value of IDR 4.48 billion.
Meanwhile, this time were exports for the third time during February 2020 and all were sent to China.
"I appreciate the steps taken by BKIPM Batam to take the ball to business players, so the process of exporting dried seaweed is made easier.
Regarding the land constraints, I will coordinate with Regional Government and other ministries to find solution," said Edhy.
Edhy said, looking for seaweed initially did not attract the interest of Batam residents.
Therefore, the selling price of these commodities is so cheap.
However, since the dry seaweed business began, people began to be interested in finding seaweed.
"The price is creeping up, there are around 300 fishermen who are in this field now.
These have not been cultivated, they can already be exported. If they have been cultivated moreover," said Edhy.
Edhy acknowledged that seaweed in Batam has the potential to be developed into cultivation.
The amount reaches 5,000 tons, but only 2 percent has been utilized.
Edhy encouraged the community and local government to maximize their potential.
Meanwhile, Wahyudi ensured that the shipment of dried seaweed to China did not experience obstacles, because the destination area was not Corona virus red zone.
"Batam in general has extraordinary potential, this is what we must realize that this is our opportunity to breakthrough," Wahyudi said.
Wahyudi also admitted that he was initially pessimistic about this effort.
However, lately the number of requests continues to grow.
This makes him more confident, in the future this dried seaweed cultivation can go global.
"Initially it was processed locally to become crackers and other food, slowly being asked by Singaporeans and eventually it developed rapidly to report several countries to China," Wahyudi said. (Kompas.com)
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