Indonesia invites Vietnam to invest in cultivation of lobster seeds

Indonesia invites Vietnam to invest in cultivation of lobster seeds

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono on Monday said that his ministry has invited Vietnam to invest in the cultivation of clear lobster seeds (BBL) in Indonesia.

“We met with the Vietnamese Minister and we offered to send BBL to Vietnam. We asked them to invest in Indonesia,” Trenggono informed in Jakarta.

He noted that the offer was followed up by the ministry’s director general based on several recommendations from potential investors, which could be realized in the future.

The minister informed that based on the results of his meeting with the Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the potential requirement for BBL in Vietnam is 400 million–500 million seeds per year priced at US$2 per BBL head.

“From what I learned during the meeting, they need around 400 (million)–500 million seeds at US$2 per head,” he said.

Earlier, he emphasized that his ministry is ready to assist investors who are interested in lobster cultivation in Indonesia.

“They can come to Indonesia and I will support them with lobster cultivation. The ministry will also guarantee the certification of the seeds to attract their interest,” Trenggono said during a working meeting with the Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

The minister informed that with an average price of US$2 per head for 400 million to 600 million seeds, Indonesia can receive a total of US$1.2 billion from Vietnam.

Through the effort, he is targeting to make Indonesia the largest lobster producer in the world in the next five years.

This effort is also expected to suppress the smuggling of BBL seeds from Indonesia to foreign countries. The ministry reported that throughout the year, 1.6 million BBL valued at Rp160 billion or US$10 million were seized during smuggling attempts.