Abstract

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has outlined blue economy – or economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts -as one of the tools to boost Indonesia’s economy. The key highlight of Indonesia’s blue economy objectives is the plan to increase maritime sector GDP into at least 15% of the nation’s GDP. In addition, given his heavy focus on economic development, Jokowi took some drastic measures to ease hurdles for receiving and absorbing economic investment, notably the creation of omnibus laws and regulatory revisions. However, an inadvertent consequence of those measures is transfer of some authorities from the region back to the central government.

This seminar aims to understand the changes in the dynamics between central-regional government and their implications to Riau Islands province (KEPRI). What are the key changes in terms of relations between Central and Regional governments in KEPRI? How does the changes affect the blue economy and business in KEPRI? What are the potential future challenges for the development of blue economy and investment climate in the province?

About the Speaker

Agung Dhamar Syakti, Ph.D. is a marine pollution and bioremediation expert with extensive research experience in analytical chemistry studies and expertise on the studies of petroleum hydrocarbons and marine bacteria. Prof. Syakti is President of Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH), Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands province, and Professor in Marine and Fishery Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Aix-Marseille III, France. His research interests are bioremediation, marine pollution, and environmental science.

Sayed Fauzan Riyadi is an associate professor and Executive Director of the Center for Southeast Asia and Border Management Studies, UMRAH. Dr. Riyadi obtained his doctoral degree in International Relations from Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia. His main research areas are maritime security governance, international politics, and local politics in Indonesia, primarily Riau Islands Province. Dr. Riyadi currently serves Secretary General of the Indonesian Association of International Relations (AIHII).