VP inspects newly developed Makassar port

Makassar. During his official visit to Makassar, South Sulawesi, Vice President Jusuf Kalla inspected activities in Makassar port managed by the state-owned port operator PT Pelindo IV today.

The Vice President came to check the implementation of sea toll road transportation program, especially the direct call that is direct international shipping for commodities to and from some countries such as Hongkong, Timor Leste, Korea, Japan, Philippine, and Vietnam.

Port, Mr Kalla said, indicates the advancement of trade and industry of a region. “That is why we need to revive Makassar port as its function in the beginning,” he said, adding that Makassar port was in the past one of main ports in Indonesia together with Belawan, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, and Tanjung Perak in Surabaya.

However, he continued, as industry was later more concentrated in Java, distribution of goods was centralized in the island and thus trade activities in Makassar port decreased.

Now, the Vice President said, export and import of commodities, especially to and from eastern part of Indonesia, can be performed through Makassar port.

He asserted that efficiency, both of time and cost, should be the main target to achieve in delivering services in ports.
“This should also become the concern of Makassar port which is now becoming the hub for its neighboring regions,” said Mr Kalla.

Accompanying the Vice President during the inspection were PT Pelindo IV CEO Doso Agung and South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo.
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