The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) is intensifying efforts to boost upstream-to-downstream investments in Indonesia's tuna fisheries through the Indonesia Tuna Investment and Business Forum (ITIBF) 2024, scheduled for June 25 in Surabaya, East Java. The event aims to discuss sustainable tuna resource management and hydrolysate fish protein technology. According to Machmud, Secretary of the Directorate General for Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fisheries Products (PDSPKP) at MMAF, the ITIBF is part of the Tuna Year activities aimed at enhancing investment in tuna fisheries from upstream to downstream. The global market trend for tuna-skipjack-tongkol (TCT) commodities has been positive in recent years, with global trade values increasing from USD 14.37 billion in 2017 to USD 16.81 billion in 2022, indicating a rising demand. Indonesia has benefited significantly from this demand surge, as evidenced by its TCT exports rising from USD 0.66 billion in 2017 to USD 0.96 billion in 2022, with a robust year-on-year growth rate of 29.3%, outpacing other TCT exporting nations. MMAF remains optimistic about further export value increases, particularly following successful negotiations to reduce processed tuna tariffs to 0% under the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA), expected to be implemented by late 2024.
Hari Maryadi, Secretary of the Marine Product Quality Control and Monitoring Agency (BPPMHKP), emphasized MMAF's commitment to tuna industry quality assurance, crucial for maintaining product acceptance in export markets and ensuring domestic market quality standards. Meanwhile, Ridwan Mulyana, Director of Fish Resource Management at the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, affirmed Indonesia's commitment to tuna sustainability through active participation in international fisheries management organizations. The ITIBF 2024 will witness business agreements between the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), the Indonesian Longline Tuna Association (ATLI), and commitments to empower private enterprises and tuna groups to implement traceable, sustainable, and fair tuna management practices. This forum underscores MMAF's dedication to advancing tuna knowledge and delivering socio-economic impacts. The event expects 300 participants, including fish processing units, trade representatives from partner countries, local government officials, and supporting industries such as logistics, cold chain systems, retail networks, hotels, restaurants, and tuna certification bodies.
Source: https://investor.id/business/365103/kkp-pacu-investasi-perikanan-tuna-lewat-itibf-2024
