The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) supports the 2024 Indonesia Yatch Festival (IYF) organised by the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian National Shipowners' Association (DPP INSA) at Benoa Marina Bali from 9 to 11 August 2024. IYF 2024 is the second time INSA has organised the event.

"We support this event. Apart from being a platform to promote marine tourism to the global arena, it can also encourage Indonesia's maritime economy," said Vice Chairman of Kadin Indonesia for Transportation, Denon Prawiraatmadja (11/8/2024).

Chair of the INSA DPP, Carmelita Hartoto said IYF 2024 is INSA's effort to encourage the development of national shipping, while promoting Indonesian marine tourism. This is in line with the government's efforts to encourage the growth of the tourism sector, where in 2023 the parekraf sector contributed 3.9 per cent to national GDP with the absorption of the tourism sector workforce reaching 24.41 million people.

Moreover, IYF is expected to inspire people to make the ocean a lifestyle. By becoming a part of people's lifestyle, it is believed that Indonesia's oceans will truly be a source of national development in the future.

"We hope that IYF 2024 will open up the potential for the development of national marine tourism, so that it will encourage national investors to invest in the national yacht sector," said Carmelita, who is also the Vice Chair of Kadin Indonesia Coordinator for Human Quality Improvement, Research and Technology, and Innovation.

On the other hand, the IYF is also expected to encourage the development of other yacht ecosystems, such as the growth of marina development in Indonesia with facilities that conform to international standards. This will be an attraction for yacht owners to berth their vessels in Indonesia. The growth of marinas in Indonesia needs to be supported by all stakeholders, especially with competitive financing schemes.

In addition, the presence of marinas that meet the standards will also enhance Indonesia's reputation as a prime destination for yacht owners from around the world. This will have a tremendous impact on the economy significantly such as in the MSME sector, tourism, and can also open up opportunities for the development of yacht-related industries. Support from the government, both in terms of regulations and other policies is needed, especially in the tourist and cruise ship sectors.

As part of the effort to support the shipping industry and strengthen the maritime ecosystem, the IYF event will be enlivened with various launch agendas. One of them is the launch of a luxury boat owned by one of INSA's members, produced by a local shipyard, Outborn Watercraft.

This signifies that local shipyards are able to compete with foreign shipyards in building quality luxury boats. There was also the launch of Redikru, an innovative digital platform that connects shipping companies with seafarers easily and safely. The presence of Redikru at IYF 2024 signifies a step forward in the utilisation of technology to support the advancement of the shipping industry in Indonesia.