RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto’s recent diplomatic mission to Europe has secured an investment commitment of IDR 90 trillion (approximately USD 5.35 billion), earmarked to strengthen Indonesia’s maritime and marine sectors.

The capital injection is expected to serve as a cornerstone for inclusive growth, extending beyond major ports to benefit local fishing communities and coastal industries.

Fithra Faisal Hastiadi, an expert with the Government Communications Body, said the maritime sector is uniquely positioned to provide a sustainable economic foundation.

Unlike isolated industrial projects, maritime investment generates a significant multiplier effect across fisheries, port management, and supporting logistics industries. “The maritime economy encompasses fisheries, ports, and supporting industries, all of which employ large numbers of workers. This sector can build a more sustainable and inclusive foundation for our economic growth,” Fithra said on Monday, January 26, 2026.

He added that the investment is crucial for improving the Exchange Rate for Fishermen (NTN), which has long been suppressed due to limited productive infrastructure.

The investment strategy aligns with President Prabowo’s “Development Trilogy,” which emphasizes three pillars of national progress.

To drive economic growth, the government is targeting an ambitious 8 percent growth rate by revitalizing high-impact sectors such as maritime and fisheries.

The plan also prioritizes equitable distribution by ensuring infrastructure reaches remote coastal areas, reducing long-standing regional disparities.

To secure these gains, the government is focusing on sustainable stability, building long-term maritime resilience through international collaboration and a stronger blue economy.

According to Fithra, Indonesia’s total investment needs stand at around IDR 10,000 trillion, with IDR 7,000 trillion expected to come from foreign sources. The European commitment of IDR 90 trillion is seen as an important entry point for broader global cooperation.

While the investment is a significant achievement, economists caution that implementation will be the real challenge. Esther Sri Astuti, Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), stressed that capital alone is not enough. “We hope the investment will not stop at that amount. Regulations and bureaucracy must be synchronized between central and regional governments,” she said.

Esther emphasized that regulatory harmony is essential to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks and provide certainty for investors. She also underlined the importance of improving labor quality through training programs to equip local workers with the skills needed for modern maritime technology. Without such measures, she warned, job absorption would be suboptimal.

She added that investment in renewable energy should also be prioritized, in line with Indonesia’s target of building 100 gigawatts of new power capacity. Food and energy security, she noted, remain fundamental pillars of national development.

Both Fithra and Esther agreed that the investment commitment must be understood within a long-term framework.

Fithra said the maritime focus is part of Indonesia’s broader development roadmap, which also includes energy and education. Strengthening education, he explained, is vital to enhance human resource capacity so that commodity development is matched by workforce skills.

“This investment does not neglect the energy and food sectors. All priority areas will continue according to the national development roadmap,” Fithra said. He added that results should not be judged in isolation within a single period, as the policy is designed for continuity.

This maritime-focused investment marks a strategic shift in Indonesia’s economic trajectory, aiming to transform the archipelago’s vast waters into a primary engine of national prosperity. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)