Located in North Sumatra, Medan is Indonesia’s largest city outside of Java, the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. With the central government’s plans to develop its maritime sector, Medan’s strategic location and port developments may prove to be highly significant in enhancing regional and international trade.
President Joko Widodo’s initiative to improve the maritime sector has caught the attention of the United States, which has expressed interest in collaborating with Indonesia in improving coastal security, exchange training programs for naval officers, and raising educational standards to international levels.
President Widodo also plans to spread out shipping operations throughout the islands of Indonesia to promote more commerce in the western islands, which currently lag behind Java and North Sumatra in terms of maritime activity and trade.
With Indonesia’s abundance of natural resources and agriculture exports, an enhanced maritime sector will be a key factor in optimizing Indonesia’s market potential. And if cooperation with the United States proceeds fully, the country will improve not only its maritime industry and trade, but also contribute to regional security.
