Jakarta: Indonesia needs to develop Kuala Tanjung Port in North Sumatra and Bitung Port in North Sulawesi ahead of the start of the ASEAN single market next year, according to the Committee for the Expansion and Acceleration of Indonesian Economic Growth (KP3EI).
“The country’s economic development acceleration should be based on maritime connectivity, and the government should boost economic growth outside Java Island,” a spokesman for the association said.
“By making Bitung and Kuala Tanjung our main gateways, the government would not only evenly distribute economic activity but also help the implementation of the cabotage principle,” he said.
Indonesia’s permanent representative to ASEAN, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, said the country had completed a feasibility study for roro operation connecting Bitung and Santos in the Philippines.
“We see great potential in operating vessels connecting Bitung with Santos as well as with Brunei and Malaysia to support ASEAN as the center of production and distribution,” Ngurah said.
PT Pelabuhan Indonesia I (Pelindo I) plans to begin the construction of Kuala Tanjung Port in North Sumatra this year while Pelindo IV is currently expanding Bitung. [25/04/14]
