The UK Government will support Indonesia’s plan to build approximately 1,500 fishing vessels, as well as improve fishing villages, with the aim of enhancing fishermen’s welfare while improving national protein consumption, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto told reporters in London earlier this week.
"This partnership is very strategic for us, as it will accelerate our economic growth and advancement, especially in the maritime sector, Mr Prabowo said.
"I need to point out that three-quarters of our territory consists of seas and our people’s protein consumption remains too low. We need to increase it."
The introduction of new, high-quality fishing vessels would satisfy fishers' needs and allow them to increase their catches significantly.
The President remarked that the UK possesses, "advanced technology, strong financial capacity, and a clear interest in investing in Indonesia."
The collaboration in fishing vessel construction and the improvement of fishing villages was stipulated in a formal agreement on a new strategic partnership between the two countries.
The partnership will also cover other areas such as cooperation in energy and reinforcement of defense and security.
