Indonesia and Sweden have agreed to cooperate and develop a road map for blue economy as a new source of economic growth.
Indonesian Minister of National Development Planning and Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa, Swedish Minister of Infrastructure, Thomas Eneroth, and Swedish Environment Minister/Deputy Prime Minister, Per Bolund, inked an agreement in this regard in Stockholm, Sweden recently.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Monoarfa said that both countries face similar opportunities and challenges to developing a blue economy as the basis of national development.
"Indonesia and Sweden have agreed to develop the Road Map for Blue Economy, as part of efforts to accelerate economic transformation toward a more inclusive and sustainable growth," he added.
Indonesia could learn from Sweden that has successfully developed a blue economy strategy, which covers blue-growth strategy and marine spatial planning, among others, in line with the agenda of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, UK in November this year, he noted.
Related news: Indonesia, Sweden sign joint statement on blue economy cooperation
Blue economy is one strategy to transform Indonesia's economy based on the economic value of its ocean resources, Monoarfa explained.
It would give added value to Indonesia's ocean resources supply chain, and hence it would accelerate economic growth, improve people's welfare, and preserve the environment, he said.
The development of blue economy is based on three pillars—healthy ocean environment, competitive ocean-based industry, and attractive coastal area, the minister added.
The blue economy covers various sectors including fisheries, marine product processing industry, sea logistics, trade and shipyard industry, he informed.
It also includes marine-based tourism, biotechnology, renewable energy, management of ocean resources and human resources, he added.
Indonesia and Sweden will begin their cooperation with the implementation of the Sweden-Indonesia Sustainability Partnership at the end of November this year, he informed.
Indonesia will bring up the issue of leadership in blue economy at the G20 event in 2022 and make it a priority agenda for the G20 Development Working Group (DWG), Monoarfa said.
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Editor : Mahdani
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