Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Mackerel caught by South Kalimantan fishermen began to be exported to several Asian and Middle Eastern countries using Garuda Indonesia aircraft.
General Manager of PT Garuda Indonesia Banjarmasin Henny Nurcahyani in a press conference here on Wednesday revealed that Garuda, besides serving passengers, also plays a role as a means of transporting logistics for exports of South Kalimantan fisheries and seafood commodities.
"The initial export of South Kalimantan fishermen's seafood commodities to Singapore with Garuda Indonesia flights on November 6, 2018, with a weight of 800 kg of fresh fish, later today the first export to the Middle East is 1,200 kg," she said.
According to her, the export flights of South Kalimantan fishermen's products are carried out through Banjarmasin to Jakarta, from Jakarta to the destination country, and will take place three times a week.
"They transported in the morning flights, because of three of six Garuda flights in South Kalimantan are the morning with a luggage capacity of 4-5 tons," she said.
Henny Nurcahyani said that her party strongly supports the export of commodities, especially when they have fulfilled the package requirements to be transported in flight.
"This is the progress that we hope will always be sustainable," said Henny Nurcahyani.
Meanwhile, Branch Manager of PT Surya Nusaraya Banjarmasin Gusti Faisal appreciated the support of Garuda Indonesia and related agencies so the export of marine products and fisheries by the company could be realized.
"It is indeed not easy to get export permits, but thanks to the support of the South Kalimantan Provincial Government and Garuda Indonesia, it can finally be realized well," he said.
His company, in this case, said Faisal, not only took advantage but with the goal of improving the welfare of the local fishermen because their catches could be exported so that prices are higher.
"Surely it is the benefits of fishermen in this region with the opportunity to export, even the target is 200 tons per year," he said.