Kadin To Encourage Investment In Shrimp Ponds

Jakarta, Nov 11 (Antara) - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is considering investing in the fishery cultivation sector, particularly in shrimp cultivation, its Deputy Chairman, Yugi Prayanto, said. "Demand for shrimp overseas is showing an upward trend," Yugi Prayanto said here on Monday. He noted that Kadin was interested in developing shrimp projects because the price of shrimp is expected to increase, while the technology to cultivate shrimp is already being used. Additionally, Indonesia has large shrimp ponds and its shrimp are free from diseases. "The cultured fish business, in general, has better prospects than catch fishing. Banks see this sector as more feasible, measured and its turnout is guaranteed," the Kadin deputy chairman said. Harry Lukminto, Kadin`s permanent committee deputy chairman for business development, marine and fishery technology affairs, agreed that Indonesia should not have doubts in marketing its shrimp. He recalled that the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) had predicted that Thailand's and China`s demand for shrimps would remain high and could not be met with their own production, so they would have to import shrimp. Indonesia has a good chance to expand its exports to those countries and should utilize its competitive edge. After all, it has the longest and second best coast lines in the world. This could ensure its ability to provide fish throughout the year. He said that both younger and mature shrimps were available all year. Lukminto noted that the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry was already on the right track with its support for maritime and fisheries industrialization programs. Earlier, the People`s Coalition for Fishery Justice (Kiara) asked Minister for Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif Cicip Sutardjo to include small scale fish breeders in drawing up a cultured fishery certification scheme in Indonesia. "Kiara called on the minister not to hurry in deciding on a certification program, which might put small scale breeders at a disadvantage. This is in the interest of protecting the country`s citizens and national interest," Kiara Secretary General Abdul Halim said on Tuesday. The government should also guarantee that the certification scheme would not provide an opportunity for agribusiness corporations to, in the end, marginalize traditional breeders, particularly in term of seeds, fish food and market access.