SURABAYA: Former East Java governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa (pic) is optimistic that East Java will become the centre of Indonesia's economy, given its vast potential in marine, fisheries, and fishing products, reported Antara news agency.
In a statement received on Tuesday (June 18), Parawansa highlighted that East Java is home to six ports: Tanjung Perak, Teluk Lamong, Tanjung Wangi, Boom Banyuwangi, Kalianget, and Tanjung Tembaga Port in Probolinggo.
"Increasing port capacity and services is very important because they have a very vital role in supporting the smooth distribution of logistics from and to East Java as well as from and to various countries," she remarked.
The ex-governor made this statement in conjunction with National Port Day while performing Hajj worship in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Parawansa believes East Java, as the hub of Eastern Indonesia, currently has two main ports that can transport goods and people and support trade activities on a large scale.
"Tanjung Perak in the city of Surabaya and Tanjung Tembaga in Probolinggo show East Java's readiness to meet the inter-island market and increase economic activities," she affirmed.
Indonesia, as a maritime nation, is well-known for having several ships docked at its piers to support various economic and tourism activities.
The former governor explained that the economic activities at Tanjung Perak Port were also supported by Tanjung Tembaga Port.
This offers huge potential for East Java as a gateway between cities and islands for marine economic activities.
"Tanjung Perak has international status, while Tanjung Tembaga has a strategic location as a gateway to hinterland areas, which include Probolinggo, Jember, Pasuruan, Situbondo, and Lumajang," she stated.
Meanwhile, she remarked that Probolinggo Port will become an international port in the future, as it already holds the certificate related to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). - Bernama-Antara
