Indian Ocean to Serve as World`s Future: President Jokowi

President Joko Wiodo opens the IORA Business Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center on Monday.

 
Jakarta, 07 Jumadil Akhir 1438/06 March 2017 (MINA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asserted that the Indian Ocean, stretching from southern Asia to the Antarctic, is the future of the world.

“Hence, Indonesia wants to strengthen its maritime axis and link it to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA),” Antara quoted President Jokowi as remarking while opening the IORA Business Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center here on Monday.

Also Read: Indonesian Government Issues Circular on Educational Activities During Ramadan 2025

Jokowi stated that Indonesia needs the participation of all IORA member countries, especially those with business skills, to create various business opportunities across the Indian Ocean region.

Further, the Indonesian head of state remarked that the Indian Ocean is a vast area, with numerous challenges ahead.

“However, I know that every challenge will also create opportunities for businessmen that we call business opportunities,” President Jokowi noted.

He pointed out that half of the worlds container ships sail through the Indian Ocean, two-thirds of tanker shipments of oil and gas pass through the same ocean, and 2.7 billion people live in the area of the IORA.

Also Read: MUI Rejects Trump’s Proposal to Relocate Gaza Residents to Indonesia

Hence, the president has invited all IORA member countries to offer solutions to the challenges facing the Indian Ocean region, including the problems being encountered by small and medium enterprises, women, and the youth.

Jokowi highlighted the importance of a technology-based business model that is attractive and promising for investment.

“The duty of the government is to ensure that communication infrastructure can be well developed, with 3G and 4G networks, and eventually upgrading to 5G networks and high-bandwidth fiber optic networks in large quantities, at efficient pricing,” he stated.

Jokowi affirmed that his government is ready to reduce barriers, such as licensing, regulations, and corruption, which hinder businesses.

Also Read: Israel Forces Isolate Bethlehem with 89 Gates, Barriers and Concrete Blocks

“The government intends to work closely together with IORA member states, so that we can bring the best out of the latest technology to business groups and to young people in the countries of the IORA,” he added. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Also Read: President Prabowo Inaugurates Asahan 3 Hydroelectric Power Plant in North Sumatra